House Republicans Continue Protest Fighting For Energy Relief For Americans!

“Republicans will not rest until we have an honest, up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act,” Boehner wrote in the memo written by Republican leaders. “To that end, we request that you contact the Whip’s Office and indicate any time you may have available to come to Capitol in the coming weeks. We specifically request that you indicate your availability for any days during the next two weeks, August 11th through 22nd, as soon as possible.”

Republicans began their protest on Friday, as the House went into its August recess. Through a handful of members, Republicans have been able to continue rounds of speeches on the House floor ever since.

The plan now seems to be to continue taking to the House floor every weekday until at least the start of the Democratic Convention, which kicks off on Aug. 25.

I still don't know if Congressman Manzullo stayed in DC or came home, but he did update his campaignM site with nice links to reports on this strong Republican reaction to a do nothing party that would rather you and I suffer just so they can get elected.

Several Republican members of Congress are asking constituents to send in their gas receipts, which will be presented to the vacationing Democrat leadership see the full report at Michelle Malkin.
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Hot Air -- House Oil Party rockin’ to the Democratic Convention

House Republican Protests Continue With A Boost From Gingrich -- Dem's Policy Of Filling Tires Sends $700 Billion Of American Money To Dictators Every Year!

Did Nancy Pelosi think it was more important to go on a book tour then vote on energy?  Bad investment, her book hasn't even charted! (Drudge reports only 2737 sold first week)

Gingrich makes some good points in this video -- one recommendation he makes is for Dem's to ignore Pelosi's advice to stand up for drilling in the hope that she can block it just so they can get elected as there will more likely be a vote and they will be stuck on the record!

I haven't been able to find a list of the 15 or 20 Republicans still holding out on the floor but if I do I will post it.  I hope Manzullo is one of them, energy is so vital to the Rockford area -- it is the lifeblood for the farming and what manufacturing we have managed to keep in the area!
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Republicans Call Pelosi's Bluff -- Calls For Democrats Who Want Drilling To Put Up Or Shut Up!

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement in response to an article in today’s Politico that suggests Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has secretly signaled to rank-and-file House Democratic lawmakers that they should feel free to portray themselves publicly as pro-drilling if it helps them politically:

“My message to Democratic lawmakers is this: if you’re really for increased American energy production, then prove it by putting it in writing. Sign the discharge petitions House Republicans are circulating that will force votes on energy legislation Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring to the floor. And sign onto the American Energy Act, our ‘all of the above’ plan to increase conservation, innovation, and American energy production, instead of doing the Speaker’s bidding by voting against bringing it to a vote. If you aren’t willing to put it in writing, you’re fooling no one. You’re siding with the Speaker of the Drill-Nothing Congress and radical special interests that favor higher gas prices, at the expense of energy-strapped American families.”

“This cynical strategy is disgustingly dishonest. Without any real solutions to help Americans who are struggling with record-high gas prices, it appears the Democratic leadership has hit on a new plan: deceive. Deceive the press, deceive its members, and deceive the American people. Democratic members have a ‘pass’ from their leaders to talk about drilling at home, while the liberal Democratic leadership – which is beholden to special interests that want higher gas prices – plays ‘rope-a-dope’ back in Washington, ensuring there is no vote to help the American people before November. It’s cynical, dishonest, and wrong – and it won’t work.”

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Hot Air -- Boehner calls bluff of “pro-drilling” Dems: Prove you’re not liars by joining with us now; Update: New grassroots website supporting House protest launches

Manzullo Joins House Republicans In Energy Protest On The Floor -- Brings The Crowd To It's Feet -- Why Won't Democrats Allow ANY Drilling?

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo joined a GOP protest today, staying on the House floor and speaking after Democrats refused to allow a vote on a bill pertaining to offshore drilling.

The Democrats reportedly shut off the chamber’s lights, leaving the GOP members in the dark. But the Republicans continued speaking, while inviting members of the public into the chamber to witness the unusual display. .
..
Manzullo said he hoped the GOP protest would help force Democrats to allow a vote.

“It’s reached such a boiling point that Americans are so starving for any type of legislation that will bring about a decrease in oil prices,” he said. “They obviously talk to us, and we’ve been frustrated because we can’t get a vote in order to start some offshore drilling.”

Manzullo said Democrats who control the chamber should be ashamed of themselves for attempting to shut down the chamber.

RRStar -- Audio of Manzullo At link

Rep. Donald Manzullo also delivered a passionate speech, saying today was his late father's birthday.

After relating how his father, an Italian immigrant, came to live in Illinois and own a little grocery store, Manzullo brought the crowd to its feet with this line: "The people of this country are rising up and saying, 'We want our country back!'"

Politico -- The Crypt

Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), not normally known as an distinguished orator, just gave a rousing speech, accusing Democrats of stifling dissent. He referenced President John Quincy Adams, who returned as a House member after being defeated in his bid for re-election as president. Waving his arms and yelling, Manzullo brought the crowd (including a lot of staff shipped in by GOP leaders to fill up the place), and he left the floor to hugs from his colleagues. You don't see that up here every day.

American Thinker Blog
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