"...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

Last Friday, as you may know, a group of Republican members of the House of Representatives refused to leave the floor of the House and go home for August Recess. The group stayed on the floor in protest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) decision to go to recess without taking any action on the energy crisis facing this nation. Apparently, Pelosi did not want to entertain Republican plans for comprehensive energy legislation that would authorize drilling for oil in the Outer Continental Shelf while simultaneously developing alternative energy technology.

The protest continued today with 23 Republican Representatives returning to Washington, D.C. to discuss energy solutions and pressure Speaker Pelosi to allow an open debate on energy.

At around 11:00am, our office received a call from Minority Whip Roy Blunt's (R-MO) office asking us to come to the floor to cover the speeches. Upon arriving at the Capitol, we were escorted down onto the floor of the House. I later found out that it was unprecedented to allow non-members on the floor during debate.

My immediate impression of the moment was one of awe. There was a definite energy in the room that seemed almost revolutionary. Normal House protocol prevents members from talking directly to the crowds observing from the galleries and visitors are not allowed to cheer. Today, however, members are mingling with the visitors (I was actually sitting next to Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia), and the people observing are loudly cheering on the speakers on the floor.

Some highlights of the speeches:

- 11:40am: During a speech by Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), the crowd started chanting
"Vote! Vote! Vote!"
- 11:45am: Rep. John Kline (R-MN) told those observing that they were part of "an historic moment," and that although "Congress is doing nothing about the price of gas; we're here to do something."
- 11:50am: Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), one of the organizers of the protest, explained that Pelosi was blocking a comprehensive energy plan supported by a bi-partisan majority that would give us more access to American oil. He later drew from a quote by Daniel Webster that is carved into the gallery wall above the Speaker's seat: "Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered."
- 11:55am: Standing ovation for Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) who helped organize the protest.
- 12:00pm: Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said that Dayton school districts were stopping bus
services for students due to the high cost of fuel and stated that "our economic security is
at risk." He then called on Speaker Pelosi to "bring this House back," so that it could
unleash the inventiveness of our country.
- 12:05pm: Rep. Steve King (R-IA) - "If we lose our free market economy, then what
happens to your freedom?" Talked about the fact that we can't get through this problem
without offshore drilling and noted that during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, several
offshore rigs were badly damaged without a single leak.
- 12:20pm: Peter Roskam (R-IL) said that he got the call about the protest yesterday
and drove all night to be a part of it, arriving in D.C. at 3:00am. Compared the energy
crisis to the Stamp Act saying it is an issue that affects everyone and that the people
people must rise up to ensure that something gets done.
- 12:30pm: Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) - "We care about the environment, but it is a
question of balance." Decried Speaker Pelosi's silencing of the minority, saying that "this
is the United States, not the Soviet Union."
- 12:45pm: Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) highlighted the various bills that the
Democrats made priorities over energy bills. The list included such ridiculous bills as
recognition of National Train Day, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act (this bill provides
protection for rare breeds of cats and dogs), and the Monkey Safety Act.
- 12:55pm: Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) said that the price at the pump isn't the only issue
at stake, but the quality of life of all Americans. Referenced Charlton Heston's famous line from "The Ten Commandments" - "Madam Speaker: Let my people vote!"

Throughout the speeches, the Representatives encouraged the people watching in the gallery and from the floor to call Speaker Pelosi's office at (202)224-3121 and tell her to allow debate on energy policy.

If your Representative was one of the ones present, call them and encourage them to keep up the good work. If not, call them and tell them that you don't get a vacation from high gas prices, so why should they get a vacation from doing the people's business.

Resources to help you talk with your Representative can be found at: www.freedomworks.org/petition/drill.