NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Blunt: GOP Petition Would Bring Hensarling, Conaway Energy Bill to the Floor, Lower Gas Prices for Every American

"Democrats love to claim they're the true champions of alternative energy, but it turns out their definition of 'alternative' - like their energy platform in general - is narrow to the point of being irrelevant. That's why they took great care to slide 'section 526' into their last energy bill - a provision that prevents us from utilizing homegrown alternative fuels like coal-to-liquids, tar sands, and Western shale.

"Republicans, on the other hand, support an 'all of the above' approach to bringing down gas prices for everyday Americans: holding the line on demand, but also freeing up new conventional, alternative, and renewable energy supplies. Part of that includes the very fuels that Democrats banned in their bill - but thanks to the petition offered by Rep. Randy Kuhl today, we now have the mechanism in place to set that right. All we'll need is a couple like-minded Democrats to join us."

NOTE: Last month, Blunt and House leaders announced that Republicans will seek to lower energy costs by filing discharge petitions on a series of supply-oriented bills - circumventing Democratic leadership, and bringing bipartisan legislation to the House floor. Each of the seven bills are specifically crafted to lower the price of gas and other energy sources by increasing American-made energy, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and creating jobs here at home in the process.

This week, Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.) filed a discharge petition on H.R. 5656. More information on the legislation can be found at http://www.house.gov/list/press/tx05_hensarling/041008Energy526Bill.html.

SOURCE House Republican Whip Roy Blunt