Manzullo Shows Why He's There -- Those Other Republicans Should Pay Attention! -- UPDATED WITH VIDEO

Rep. Manzullo to Geithner: Your Plan Is 'Radical'

In testimony before the House Financial Services committee that just adjourned, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner just had to defend his institutional takeover plan against charges of radicalism.

"Do you realize how radical your proposal is?" Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) asked.

"It's not radical. . ." Geither began, before Manzullo interrupted him.

"You're talking about seizing private businesses and you don't consider that radical?" Manzullo replied, his voice rising.

Manzullo is trying to get Geithner to give details of the plan -- that's where Geithner got stung before -- but Geithner doesn't have them yet.

If the plan were not radical, Manzullo said to Geithner, "you would have answers to some of my questions, such as, what size business would be subject to this?"

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The Ticker (WaPo)

Update:  Here is the video from Rep. Manzullo's YouTube page:

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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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House Republican Protest Of The Democrats 'Vacation While American Suffer' To Continue Today -- Even Local Democrats Prefer Wearing Blinders When It Comes To Energy Policies

Washington, Aug 3 - House Republicans will be back on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives again Monday to continue the unprecedented protest that began last Friday, when dozens of Republicans joined hundreds of American citizens on the House floor to protest Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) decision to send Congress home for the rest of the summer without a vote on legislation to lower gas prices and move America toward energy independence.

In an urgent memo sent to GOP Members and staff Saturday (“A Call to Action on American Energy”), Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) hailed Friday’s action, which was led by Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Tom Price (R-GA), and others, and encouraged House Republicans to return to the Capitol beginning Monday morning to help keep the historic effort going.

“It’s not a request we make lightly. But the American people are suffering,” Boehner and Blunt said in the memo. “The consequences of continued congressional inaction on gas prices are unacceptable. We’ve called on the Speaker to call Congress back into an emergency session this month and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act. We must continue to make a stand until the Speaker complies.” (Hot Air)

At least 30 Republican members are set to show for the protest, I hope Congressman Manzullo is on that list.

Look, the Democrats have absolutely no sense of the real world on this issue and their political arrogance is doing actual harm to the economy -- all so Nancy Pelosi can save the world and Harry Reid can keep Obama from having to actually go on the record with an actual vote!

It appears todays protest was prompted by Barack Obama's recent flip on drilling -- something Congressman Manzullo's opponent, Robert Abboud still opposes (according to the energy policy page on his campaign site).  He would rather demonize the oil companies and push for only long term alternatives like additional nuclear power.

Great, I am all for additional nuclear energy!  But nuclear plants take a long time to get approval and come online, and it is even longer when you consider the legal challenges the greens throw in the way.

Here is a great example of the blinders Democrats have donned when it comes to energy policy, candidate Abboud says:

Of course we need to address both the near term issues as well as the long term outlook. Putting this plan in place provides immediate relief on energy prices because oil is priced speculatively in the market place. The moment the policy is enacted, world oil prices will collapse below 1992 levels because the medium and long term outlook for US oil demand collapses as this plan moves forward.

Sounds good, problem is it doesn't actually address the near term issue!

But you could if you increased the supply, and it would happen far faster and with more certainty then under a demand reduction program because the rest of the world isn't going to cut back!  They know that  doing so would damage their economies!

We need a long term and a short term program, oil will be around and in demand for years!

Mr. Abboud seems to think that we can all afford to just go out and buy new hybrid car or an E-85 vehicle (both parts of his short sighted and limited plan) this year?  What about all the used cars and used car dealers?  What about the farmers and their equiptment?  The Semi's that deliver most things today?

Intentionally blinding yourself to the reality of life in the America today while dreaming of an energy utopia is either like whistling past the graveyard or saying, "let them eat cake!"  The result is the same we all suffer sitting on oil we need but can't get, while the rest of the world drills, grows, and gets pissed at us for being selfish -- and for once they would be right thanks to the Democrats in Congress! (Until the U.S. opens its offshore waters to oil drilling, it will be seen as the world’s worst energy hypocrite.)

Representative Manzullo's and the Republican's plan, includes everything Abboud talks about AND includes getting our own oil to ensure economic growth while the alternatives come online!

Which do you think makes more sense, doing everything or not?
DKK

(By the way, Abboud's site is pdf after pdf which just sucks if your not somewhere you can download and view pdf's.  I assume they can figure out how to make the pages html by just cutting and pasting, right?  Since Manzullo has also had his own problems with his site it makes you wonder what these guys are thinking when it comes to an elections in 2008.  I know the public is looking online for the information, they hit here from Google everyday!)

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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The American Energy Act (HR 6566) -- Manzullo Co-Sponsored Bill Does What We Need -- Everything! UPDATE: Call Congress Demand A Vote!!

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today joined 83 of his colleagues in introducing a comprehensive energy bill that takes an “all of the above” strategy to end our dependence on costly foreign oil and reduce gas prices in America. At a Capitol Hill news conference this afternoon, the Members of Congress will also demand Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi end her opposition to American-made energy and allow a vote on the bill.

The American Energy Act (HR 6566), which Manzullo co-sponsored, will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. Many of the provisions of the all-encompassing bill were included in Manzullo’s 12-point plan to reduce gas prices in America, which he unveiled in May.    

This is exactly what we need, a real actual energy policy that addresses current and future issues! Manzullo and the Republicans have got to force this to the floor for a vote -- that means they have to sell it to the American people, and they have to start now! Thing is, with $4 gas prices selling it won't take much, more like just making as many people as possible aware of it!

Even T. Boone Pickens, who has been getting praise from the left for his plan, today reaffirmed that his plan is simply to get off of foreign oil using every measure available! Drill everywhere AND include renewable, kinda like plan Manzullo co-sponosred.

 

More on the plan from Manzullo!

• To increase the supply American-made energy in environmentally sound ways, the legislation will:

1.        Open our deep water ocean resources, which will provide an additional three million barrels of oil per day, as well as 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas;

2.        Open the Arctic coastal plain, which will provide an additional one million barrels of oil per day;

3.        Allow development of our nation’s shale oil resources, which could provide an additional 2.5 million barrels of oil per day; and

4.        Increase the supply of gas at the pump by cutting bureaucratic red tape that essentially blocks construction of new refineries.

• To improve energy conservation and efficiency, the legislation will:

1.        Provide tax incentives for businesses and families that purchase more fuel efficient vehicles;

2.        Provide a monetary prize for developing the first economically feasible, super-fuel-efficient vehicle reaching 100 miles-per-gallon; and

3.        Provide tax incentives for businesses and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency.

• To promote renewable and alternative energy technologies, the legislation will:

1.        Spur the development of alternative fuels through government contracting by repealing the “Section 526” prohibition on government purchasing of alternative energy and promoting coal-to-liquids technology;

2.        Establish a renewable energy trust fund using revenues generated by exploration in the deep ocean and on the Arctic coastal plain;

3.        Permanently extend the tax credit for alternative energy production, including wind, solar and hydrogen; and

4.        Eliminate barriers to the expansion of emission-free nuclear power production.

  
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See -- Representative Don Manzullo's plan here

Update:  This bill is being held up by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in congress because it would easily pass and they couldn't have that -- an independent America would really put a crimp in their plans!   

Call Congress and demand an up or down vote on The American Energy Act today!! 

Manzullo Reacts To President Lifting The Executive Ban On Offshore Drilling

“We are one vote away from easing our dependence on costly oil and reducing gas prices in America,” Manzullo said. “I urge Speaker Pelosi to allow us to vote to end the Congressional ban on offshore drilling so we can increase our supplies of homegrown energy. Americans have had enough of these record gas prices and higher natural gas prices are just around the corner. It’s time for Congress to act.”

Congressman Manzullo  reacting to the news that President Bush has lifted the ban on offshore oil drilling which leaves only the Democrats in Congress blocking oil exploration.

This is right on the mark!  While the Democrats hold their hands over their ears screaming, "lalalalalalal you can't get the oil for seven years, I can' hear you lalalalalala!"  The American people and the Republicans keep saying, "seven years is better then ten, or even never so lets get started now!"

I can't recall a time when the people of the country have called for action on an issue of national importance such as this and have been completely rebuffed by their Representatives.   

We have entered a time where the Democrats like Obama and Manzullo's opponent have virtually told the American people, "let them eat cake!"  (Our policy is drive smaller cars and wait for the wind is the actual line).

DKK

Representative Don Manzullo

How Was Don Manzullo's Telephone Town Hall On Gas Prices?

I don't know!

The machine that called my house must have thought I was a machine as it apologized for missing me and taunted me with a telephone town hall that I really would have loved to participate in.  Clearly a technological glich as Don's own voice was teasing and tempting me!

I called the Manzullo campaign office to see if I could join but no one answered there.

So, if you participated and have any new information that we would be interested in reading let us know.
DKK

Update:
By the way, this was the second time this has happened.  I think there is something with my phone or their system is tuned wrong.
DKK

Manzullo Stands Up To China's Import Dumping!

Washington, Jul 8 -

Congressman Don Manzullo today urged the federal government to penalize Chinese companies dumping tires on the U.S. market below cost to give American companies, including Titan Tires of Freeport, a chance to compete fairly in the off-the-road (OTR) tire market.

Manzullo testified this afternoon before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on the petition for relief from China’s unfair trade practices brought by Titan Tires and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union.

The ITC and the U.S. Department of Commerce preliminarily ruled that 15 Chinese tire companies were illegally selling tires under fair value on the U.S. market and were also receiving illegal subsidies from the Chinese government to give them a competitive advantage against the seven American OTR tire companies.

Those Chinese companies could face tariffs up to 210 percent if the federal agencies agree with Manzullo and make their preliminary rulings final. In fact, the Commerce Department just made their final determinations this afternoon that the Chinese companies had indeed illegally dumped tires on the U.S. market and received illegal subsidies from the Chinese government. If the ITC follows suit next month (decision is expected by Aug. 21) and determines that the U.S. companies were injured by the unfair trade practices, the tariff penalties will go into effect.

During his testimony, Manzullo pointed out U.S. imports of foreign-made OTR tires increased 81 percent from 2004 to 2007 while the market share of American companies dropped significantly. During that time, China was illegally subsidizing those companies while they were illegally dumping those tires on the American market below fair prices, Manzullo said.

“I’m confident that the workers at Freeport’s Titan Tire plant can produce and sell the most affordable and highest quality tire if given the chance to compete fairly, but right now they are not competing on a level playing field,” Manzullo said. “China illegally subsidizes its industries and manipulates its currency to unfairly give an advantage to its manufacturers over American workers, and those Chinese companies must be punished in this case. I urge the ITC and the Department of Commerce to confirm their initial findings and slap tariffs on these offending Chinese companies that are threatening American jobs.”

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Representative Don Manzullo

Wow, That's A Responsive Campaign!

Just Monday I noted that Congressman Don Manzullo's campaign site was lacking even basic elements such as his bio as well as quickly accessible links to items such as Manzullo's energy plan.

Well, by Tuesday morning both of those items had been corrected. Now that is a responsive campaign! I'm sorry I wasn't able to mention it right when I noticed it Tuesday AM but I had to get to my specialist.

Having links to web based (non-pdf or word doc) information about policy and issues right on the front page and throughout campaign sites is a must for any campaign in 2008, pdf's and doc files are not web or mobile friendly as you are not always somewhere you can download the files.

Congressman Manzullo also has a presence on Youtube, here.
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Manzullo Calls On Democrats To Allow Vote On Common Sense Domestic Energy Increase

From Congressman Manzullo's house site:

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today echoed calls for House leaders to schedule votes on bills that will allow more domestic production of oil to reduce gas prices in America and end our addiction to costly foreign oil.

More than 112 billion barrels of oil exist within our borders and along our shores – enough to power 60 million cars for 60 years – and Americans should be allowed to extract the oil as part of our plan to reduce surging gas prices in America.

Unfortunately, House Democratic leaders have refused to call for a vote any legislation that allows extraction for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR – exploration would occur on 2,000 acres of the 19 million acre refuge), along the Outer Continental Shelf off our coasts (Congress banned drilling along the OCS in 1981), and on other federal lands in the United States. Manzullo added there are now more environmentally friendly and safer offshore oil and gas extraction methods today. Case in point – not a drop of oil was spilled from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico when Hurricane Katrina passed over them nearly three years ago.

“The ultimate plan is for alternative energy – such as electricity, hydrogen or something not yet invented – to power our vehicles in the future, and I support comprehensive efforts to spur research and development on a host of alternative and renewable fuels. But the mass commercialization of those products could be many, many years away,” Manzullo said. “In the meantime, we must take additional steps to increase the supply of oil and gas in this country so we no longer have to rely on foreign countries that often don’t have our best interests at heart. Americans simply can’t afford to keep paying these surging gasoline costs at the pumps.”

Additional drilling was already part of Congress Manzullo's 12 point gas price reduction plan but this call for a vote is very welcome. Gas prices are hurting Northern Illinois particularly hard due to our regressive state sales tax and our higher then average unemployment rate.

So that no one is confused as to which party is the part of higher gas prices, the Republican controlled Congress approved drilling in ANWR in 1995 but Democratic President Clinton vetoed that measure. Every year thereafter until control of the house was lost to the Democrats in 2006 the house approved drilling in ANWR but were blocked by Senate Democrats. The Democrats mantra that the oil won't be available for years is amazingly short sighted and foolish -- does anyone really think we won't need that oil the minute it comes out of the ground years from now? (Not to mention the fact that we could have it by now if we had just taken action!) Not everyone will be able to get a new car in 5 or 10 years!

Congressman Manzullo's opponent, Robert Abboud would put party loyalty ahead of gas prices by bashing oil companies and hanging his hopes on alternative energy that ignores the reality of life for those of us who live in the 16th! Gas is not an option!

As an aside, as I have pointed out previously Manzullo's campaign site is really sad -- even his bio isn't on the bio page. It still says to check back later -- isn't there an election coming up? He has a bio on his congressional page that should be accurate, right?
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Victory For Oil Could Be Victory For Republicans

With oil prices shaping up as the dominant issue of this campaign season, evidence is growing that Republicans can win in November if they get behind a program of aggressive energy development. Our friend Michele Bachmann showed how it's done yesterday, with a proposal that she (and the House Republicans) estimate could cut gas prices in half at the pump:

Gas prices could be slashed in half if Congress would open up the country's Arctic slope, deep-sea reserves and oil shale fields for exploration and drilling, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann said Monday. ***

The plan, contained in a half-dozen bills that Bachmann has cosponsored, also includes opening new oil refineries (three of them at closed military bases) and incentives to invest in alternative energy sources such as wind, nuclear energy and clean coal-to-liquid technology.

The paper contacted Bachmann's Democratic opponent for a comment; it's striking how lame and whiny his response was. In truth, though, it's about as good as the Democrats are going to do.

Poll data indicate that the American people are anxious to start drilling. This Rasmussen survey, which came out today, says that by an overwhelming 67% to 18% margin, respondents favor offshore drilling. Even a plurality of liberals are in favor. Other poll data yield the same conclusions.

The Democrats are boxed in between the rock of environmental extremism and the hard place of hate for companies that make money, so they will be endlessly wrong-footed on the issue.

Powerline -- The Path To Victory

Representative Donald Manzullo should get behind this and get this out to the local press. As the election approaches he has got to get far more specific then his 12 point plan released earlier this year. This bill would do that!

While Don's challenger Robert Abboud has a resume that gives him some credibility on this issue his proposal is nothing but the Democratic Party boilerplate that is really behind the eight ball! Tax oil producers, get off oil, but no action today.

Today there is no replacement for oil and the failure to tap our resources while replacements are developed is foolish.

Oh, and Manzullo really needs to do some work on his campaign web site. It is completely worthless. I found Abboud's energy policy with one click -- I have been looking at Manzullo's for 3 months now and not only hasn't it changed, his policy positions are not easy to find. They should be linked on the front page! The news section is worthless. This is the 21'st century and Abboud net presence is impressive while Manzullo's is simplistic and non-informative.

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Internet Radio Fight -- Manzullo Pushes Solution

The creator of the nation’s largest Internet radio station, Pandora, visited with Congressman Don Manzullo this week to thank him and discuss the next steps in the fight to save online music from its impending demise.

Tim Westergren, who launched the free Internet radio station in 2005 and now boasts more than 11 million listeners, came to Manzullo’s office earlier this week to discuss the importance of the Internet Radio Equality Act (HR 2060), which Manzullo and Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) introduced last year. The bill, which maintains the strong bipartisan support of 149 cosponsors, would vacate a Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision last year to triple royalty rates Internet radio stations must pay and instead put the rates at parity with satellite and cable radio.

(...)

Representative Don Manzullo

I wrote about this here on my LifeTrek blog when the bill was first introduced.

DKK

Manzullo News -- Received Challenger Mailer

U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) joined today with U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) and Michael Michaud (D-Maine) to introduce bipartisan and bicameral legislation to help protect America’s 27 million small businesses from computer hackers and other information security breaches. The Small Business Information Security Act of 2008 (S. 3102 and H.R. 6206) would create the Small Business Information Security Task Force within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small firms understand and effectively respond to the information security challenges they face.
Representative Don Manzullo

Today I received my first mailer from Don Manzullo's challenger, millionaire Robert Abboud and the Democrats are really riding the, "supports a reasonible plan to end the Iraq War," dog -- but I wonder if they have misread the polls. What Americans hate is losing in Iraq, if we are winning will the polls be as favorable for the left?

Abboud also wants to invest in renewable energy, science and technology but I think Americans are starting to realize that just isn't going to solve the problem for the short to intermediate term. Yes, for the long term encourage development of those energy sources -- but right now we need to access our own existing energy and that means getting government out of the way!

If Manzullo and McCain pledged to increase production and refining capacity immediately then their chance of winning would be greatly enhanced. As Charles Krauthammer said on Special Report McCain could easily state that his objection to exploring in ANWR was based on the information at the time, but with the changes in circumstances (kinda like Obama changed churches when circumstances changed!) he now supports using all of the resources of the US.

DKK

Manzullo Statement On OPEC

Washington, May 20 -

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today voted for legislation to reduce gasoline prices in America by allowing the U.S. government to sue OPEC countries that conspire to keep oil prices high by limiting production in their nations.

The Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act (HR 6074) would make it illegal under U.S. law for foreign countries to collectively manipulate energy prices or supplies and permit the federal government to sue foreign countries for any such actions that directly affect the United States. The bill passed the House 324-84 this afternoon.

“For too long, the OPEC criminal conspiracy has wreaked havoc on gasoline prices in the United States,” Manzullo said. “This legislation will make them think twice before turning off the spigot and continuing to manipulate oil supplies to suit their needs. The threat of lawsuits should deter any efforts by the OPEC cartel to continue to raise gasoline prices in America.”

In a separate move, Manzullo, a Republican leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter today to the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Adel Al-Judbeir, urging the country to immediately increase oil production up to 1.9 million barrels a day to increase the supply of oil in the world and reduce gas prices in America. Manzullo, lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, pointed out in the attached letter that Saudi Arabia has the capability to produce 11.3 million barrels of oil a day but is only extracting 9.4 million barrels daily.

“The constituents I represent in northern Illinois are facing record gas prices exceeding $4 a gallon and need immediate relief before the summer starts or else our economic turmoil could spread more deeply around the world,” Manzullo said. “I believe it is in the interests of both our countries for Saudi Arabia to increase production beyond the 300,000 barrels a day already promised to commercial customers.”

Urging OPEC nations to increase the production of oil is part of the 12-point plan Manzullo unveiled earlier this month to reduce gas prices in America. The comprehensive plan includes short- and long-term strategies to lower American gas prices by combining increased domestic production of oil and gasoline with conservation, tax relief and incentives to encourage development and commercialization of alternative and renewable energies. The comprehensive plan is attached

Manzullo has a 12 point plan (word documentlink to my post on the 12 point plan May 5, 2008 -- who puts a word document online anymore, they couldn't just convert it to a pdf like they did the letter to the Saudi Ambassador pdf?) that if he and the rest of the Republicans, had any chance in hell of getting passed would go a long way toward getting elected this fall.

Unfortunately this OPEC legislation is just about 48 years too late (OPEC formed September 14, 1960) and is the most ineffective part of his plan, which is probably why the Democratically controlled congress passed it.

Oil is going to be a major political tool this fall. I have said before that if the American people knew who was keeping oil at such a high price (hint, OPEC has nothing to do with it) they would vote for a completely new congress.

DKK

Manzullo Release -- Export Modernization

U.S. House Approves Sherman-Manzullo Bill to Modernize Export Controls, Strengthen National Security, Create Jobs

Washington, May 15 -

The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation co-authored by Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) that would modernize the federal government’s inefficient export control policy by strengthening national security and helping American companies sell more defense-related goods and services overseas to our allies.

Sponsored by Manzullo and Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), the Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2007 (H.R. 4246), as amended, became Subtitle A of Title I of the Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008 (H.R. 5916), a broader international security assistance bill approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee last month. Manzullo is also an original co sponsor of H.R. 5916.

Title I of H.R. 5916 directs the State Department to hire more staff, reducing the massive backlog of license applications that impedes legitimate trade with our allies and bolstering national security. Today, the State Department has only 42 licensing officers. By 2010, this legislation requires adequate staff and resources at the State Department to review and process defense trade licenses in a timely manner.

“This legislation streamlines the process, reduces the application backlog, and allows greater scrutiny on sensitive exports that could harm our country,” Manzullo said. “I strongly encourage the Senate to pass this bill as soon as possible so the President can sign it into law quickly. It would better protect our nation while helping U.S. companies sell more goods and services to our allies, creating more jobs for Americans.”

The Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2008 (Title I of H.R. 5916) remedies many of the deficiencies in the licensing of defense trade by:

Directing the Secretary of State to review the U.S. export control system within 18 months and offer recommendations to strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and reduce redundancies across federal agencies;

Requiring the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to have at least 1 licensing officer for every 1,250 applications by Fiscal Year 2010 to prevent future backlogs;

Requiring the DDTC to assign no less than 3 individuals by Fiscal Year 2009 to review applications for commodity jurisdiction determinations;

Creating a performance goal of no longer than 60 days to process a defense trade license;

Creating a performance goal of no longer than 30 days to process a defense trade license for close allies;

Establishing a 7 day processing time for defense trade licenses from our close allies in support of combat operations or peacekeeping or humanitarian operations with U.S. Armed Forces;

Increasing the transparency of commodity jurisdiction determinations with publication of those decisions on the Internet;

Creating a special licensing authorization for U.S. manufactured spare and replacement parts or components in connection with defense items previously lawfully exported to our close allies;

Requiring a report within 90 days on possible means for DDTC to achieve 100 percent self-financing;

Increasing the representation and augmenting the input of the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) into the State Department’s defense trade agenda;

Adding South Korea and Israel to the list of NATO+3 countries receiving expedited consideration for the export of U.S. defense items.

DKK
Representative Don Manzullo