Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to Join House GOP’s Nationwide Protest on American Energy Wednesday
Washington,
Aug 5, 2008 -
House Republican leaders confirmed today that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) will join House Republicans’ ongoing national protest over the decision by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to adjourn the House without a vote on legislation to lower gas prices and increase American energy production. The former Speaker will join House Republicans in the Capitol on Wednesday morning to deliver a message of on behalf of the 1.4 million Americans who have signed a petition demanding that Congress increase American energy production.
“In the House chamber and across the nation this week, House Republicans are standing united with the American people in protest of Speaker Pelosi’s decision to send Congress home for five weeks without a vote on increased American energy,” said Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH). “More than 1.4 million Americans have signed a petition demanding that Congress pass legislation to lower gas prices and increase production of American-made energy. Tomorrow, former Speaker Newt Gingrich will join House Republicans in the Capitol to present a message on behalf of these Americans and their families as our nationwide protest continues, joining [Reps.] Mike Pence of Indiana, Tom Price of Georgia, and others who have courageously led this GOP uprising on the House floor. Newt’s presence and support will further energize this unprecedented nationwide effort as we continue to call for Congress to give the American people a vote on increased American energy.”
“Millions of Americans have been forced to permanently suspend their vacation plans this summer thanks to the prohibitive cost of fuel. All we’re asking is that Democrats temporarily suspend theirs so we can finally have the debate on energy the American people expect and are frankly shocked we haven’t had,” said Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO). “Having former Speaker Gingrich lend his time and support to this campaign represents a tremendous boon to that effort. It also provides a stark contrast to the ‘lock-it-away’ position on American energy the current Speaker of the House continues to advocate -- even as our dependence on Middle East oil grows more dangerous and severe by the day.”
“American families are crying out for relief at the pump, and Democrats have adjourned the House for a five-week recess,” Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-FL) said. “Tomorrow we will welcome Speaker Gingrich to help continue this unprecedented, coast-to-coast effort to shine a spotlight on the Democratic Congress’s failure to hold an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act. This legislation does it all, and to solve America’s energy crisis, that’s exactly what we need to be doing. The American people support House Republicans’ ‘all-of-the-above’ energy solutions in overwhelming numbers. Speaker Pelosi needs to call Congress back from its five-week recess and hold the up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act and let the will of the House prevail.”
“It is fitting the leader of the first Republican Revolution now returns to support this Republican Revolution for American energy security and independence,” said House Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI).
“This fight will not go away until Speaker Pelosi allows an up-or-down vote on energy legislation that relieves the back-breaking burden on our citizens,” said Republican Conference Secretary John Carter (R-TX). “It is ridiculous to walk away from our critical work at a time like this for five weeks of vacation. The chairs where Democrats should be seated are now filled with everyday Americans who have come to the House Floor to listen and respond to the Republican call for greater supplies of American-made energy. This is a vote that must occur. I am proud that tomorrow former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will be joining this effort here in Washington, and I also salute the Republican congressmen and women scattered across the country working tirelessly to force a vote from Speaker Pelosi.”
“Speaker Gingrich has been a consistent and eloquent leader in the Republican efforts to bring badly needed relief to American consumers who are suffering record high gasoline prices,” said NRCC Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK). “His return to the House will draw additional attention to the fact that Nancy Pelosi continues to block Congress from voting on common sense energy legislation. And hopefully it will turn up the heat on Democratic Members of Congress to demand that their leaders stop their obstructionism and get back to work.”
“We are in the midst of a genuine energy crisis and we need an all of the above energy policy to get out of it,” said Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Rules Committee Ranking Republican. “That means energy alternatives like wind and solar, as well as more domestic energy exploration. The American people want us to take action, and Speaker Pelosi is standing in the way. I applaud my colleagues and former Speaker Gingrich for keeping up the fight for more American-made energy.”
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