House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement on
the activities of a handful of House Republicans on the House Floor
today.
“After nearly eight years of House Republicans
rubber-stamping policies of the oil men in the White House that were
hand-tailored by and for big oil, Americans are suffering under over $4-a gallon
gas. Not only do these Republicans refuse to take responsibility for the failed
energy policies of the past, but they are pushing the same old ‘drill only’ plan
that will do nothing to bring down gas prices in the near-term. At least
they’re recycling.
“The Bush Administration’s own Energy Department has
reported that repealing the offshore drilling ban today won’t produce oil or gas
until 2017 and would have no impact on prices before
2030.
“The Republican ‘drill only’ plan doesn’t work, and
they’ve stood in the way of comprehensive legislation that would increase
supply, reduce prices, protect consumers and transition America
to a clean, renewable energy-independent future.
“Before we adjourned, Republicans blocked several bills
that would have done something to address high gas prices in the
near-term—drawing down oil from the nation’s own stockpile, the Strategic
Petroleum Reserve; curbing speculation in the energy markets; expanding drilling
in Alaska; and ‘Use it or Lose it,’ legislation requiring energy companies to
use the 68 million acres of taxpayer-owned land for which they already have
drilling permits or allow others to drill on them. Furthermore, they’ve stood
against legislation to crack down on price gouging, invest in renewable energy,
establish the first new vehicle efficiency standards in 32 years, and repeal
taxpayer subsidies for major oil companies that are making record profits.
“I hope that when we return in September Republicans
will stop obstructing efforts to address skyrocketing gas prices and end
America
’s dependence on foreign
oil.”
