August 1, 2008 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bill Sali was among the House Republican lawmakers who refused to leave the House floor Friday and continued to speak out for legislation to make America energy independent, even as Democrats turned out the lights and turned off the microphones, shutting down for a lengthy vacation after doing nothing to help bring down gas prices.

Sali and the other lawmakers spoke out about the need for Congress to remain in session during August, saying Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the Democrat House leadership should not be going on a 5-week vacation while Americans suffer from high fuel prices. 

“Today’s historic events highlight the frustration Americans have with the Democrat Congress for refusing to allow members to vote on a bill that will increase production of American crude oil and natural gas,” said Sali. “The fact that this Congress has stopped working to go on vacation defies logic. This is a national emergency, and this Congress must act.”

Guests in the House gallery cheered as Republican lawmakers continued to speak and advocate for energy independence after the House officially adjourned at 11:23 a.m. Eastern. C-SPAN stopped broadcasting the floor session after adjournment, but Washington, D.C. media have been reporting with headlines like “Congress gone, but Republicans won’t leave” and “Dems turn out the light, but Republicans keep talking.”

Earlier this week, Sali introduced legislation to provide a tax credit to Americans to help offset the impact of high gas prices.

Sali and other Republicans are asking President Bush to call Congress into special session in order to take up legislation that would increase America’s energy independence.