Washington, Sep 11 -

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept 11, 2008 – U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) today issued the following statement after Speaker Pelosi adjourned Congress for the week without taking up a single piece of energy related legislation.

“Today, Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership again adjourned Congress without bringing to the floor a single piece of energy legislation. In fact, they haven’t even introduced a bill yet. Their blatant failure to address our nation’s energy crisis is an insult to families around this nation who are struggling with gasoline and energy prices. The Democratic leadership had five weeks of vacation to outline an energy plan; but instead of listening to their constituents’ call for a comprehensive energy plan, they went on a book promotion tour and took a vacation.”

“The do-nothing, drill-nothing Democrats have just 11 legislative days scheduled for the remainder of this Congress. That’s only 11 working days left to hold an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act. In the next 11 days, we know that Congress will rename post offices and federal buildings, maybe designate a day or month; but will the Democratic leadership allow a simple up or down vote on the American Energy Act? We just need a simple vote on a comprehensive, all of the above energy bill that includes improving conservation and efficiency, drilling in America, increasing the supply of American-made energy, bringing online additional refineries, and developing all viable alternative or renewable fuel sources and technologies. We are not asking for a guaranteed outcome but just to have the opportunity to debate and vote on this legislation. Voting on this legislation would show residents of this country and the world that America is not going to stay dependent on foreign energy or fossil fuels.”

**Note – To see a video recap of the historic GOP August energy protest: http://www.gop.gov/web/guest/video_library/

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