Congressman Lamar Smith, Twenty First Congressional
District of Texas
(WASHINGTON) – According to Congressman Lamar Smith, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s latest energy proposal only masquerades as a comprehensive energy plan and does not take the steps overwhelmingly supported by the American people to free us from dependence on foreign oil.
“The American people know that in order to solve the energy crisis, it will take an ‘all of the above’ approach to increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote renewable and alternative energy technologies,” said Smith. “Yet Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to block a vote on the very reforms the American people want, and her latest proposal in no different.”
Recent polls show that more than 75% of Americans favor development of vast American energy resources to help lower gasoline prices and break dependence on foreign oil. In the face of such popular support, Speaker Pelosi remains steadfast in her refusal to allow a vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566) -- House Republicans’ “all of the above” bill to lower gas prices.
Instead, the Speaker is drafting a “plan” in secret, and loading it with enough poison pills to ensure its defeat – including prohibiting expanded energy production far off the coast of California.
“If the Democratic leaders were serious about increasing production of American energy and lowering the price of gasoline, they would call Congress back into session immediately to vote on the American Energy Act.”
Smith is an original cosponsor of the American Energy Act. For more information on the comprehensive energy plan, go to http://www.gop.gov/energy/.