WASHINGTON: Congressman Joe Barton (R-Arlington/Ennis) joined dozens of other Republican lawmakers on Thursday and Friday in a historic protest on the floor of the House of Representatives.

For the past six days they have been holding what Rep. Barton dubbed a “national town hall meeting.” The Members of Congress are angry that the Democratic majority voted to end the legislative session last week without voting on an all-inclusive American energy plan that will lower prices – including those charged for gas and electricity. They are demanding that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) reconvene the House to discuss this vitally important issue.

On August 1st, the lights in the House chamber went out, the microphones were silenced and the TV cameras were shut down. As Democrats left the Nation’s Capitol, Republicans – knowing that millions of Americans are struggling to cope with high energy prices - began a historic revolt.

They refused to leave the House floor, demanding that the session continue and Congress vote on an all inclusive energy policy.

By the time the rally ended more than 5 hours later, the house chamber was filled with more than 500 cheering citizens.

Even without the microphones and TV cameras, the energy revolt continued this week. Each day dozens of Republican Members of Congress have continued to speak on the House floor to throngs of people, many of whom have come to the Capitol to watch this historic event unfold.

Republicans say their demand is simple, they just want a vote on an “all of the above” energy policy.

Congressman Joe Barton heard the same demand from people who showed up at the town hall meetings he held this week around the 6th District of Texas. At each meeting the number one issue was the high cost of energy. To make sure their thoughts were heard in Washington he rushed back to DC to join the historic protest.

>Rep. Barton spoke on the House floor on Thursday and Friday morning, telling the hundreds gathered there it is time to tap into America’s vast supply of natural resources and do it in an environmentally sensitive way. His theme: American made energy for American families and American businesses.

“Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats are saying I want high energy prices and I want them to go higher. I just don’t think that is right folks and that’s why people like me are here. We want to bring attention to this issue. We want you to go home and tell your friends what you witnessed. Then call your representative in Congress and demand a vote on energy because right now that vote is being denied. You have a voice and I urge you to use it because right now the liberal Democrats who control this house won’t listen to us.”

Rep. Barton then went on to read a quote from Daniel Webster, which is carved in the wall and overlooking the floor of the House. Webster is widely considered one of the great public leaders in the 19th century.

"’Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests to see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.’ That is what we ought to do."

As Barton finished his speech he was given a standing ovation.

So far 70 Republicans have returned to Washington to take place in this call to action for energy and they vow to continue this protest until a special session of Congress is convened or until the body returns for regular business in mid-September.

Click here for more information about the Republican Energy Revolt

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