Last night, Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the podium and shamelessly pandered to members and veterans of America's military with empty lines intended to trick the American people into believing that the Democrat-controlled Congress might have accomplished something worthwhile over the course of the last two years. Unsurprisingly, Pelosi's words rang hollow, which is to be expected from the leader of the most unpopular Congress in the nation's history. Her tepid support for the military in last night's speech can't hide the Democrat majority's shameful record of voting against military members and veterans.

Though Pelosi would like veterans to think that, despite her previous record, she is now a great supporter of the American military, she refused to support a June 2008 bill that would have made overseas absentee voting easier for military members. According to a report in the Washington Post:

Analysis by the federal Election Assistance Commission, rejecting inflated Defense Department voting claims, estimated overseas and absentee military voting for the 2006 midterm elections at a disgracefully low 5.5 percent...

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Charles Henry wrote in the July issue of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings: 'While virtually everyone involved...seems to agree that military people deserve at least equal opportunity when it comes to having their votes counted, indications are that in November 2008, many thousands of service members who try to vote will do so in vain.' (Washington Post, 7/24/08)

Despite the calls for improved military absentee voting procedures by the people affected most, not a single Democrat crossed the aisle to co-sponsor a bill introduced by Rep. Roy Blunt that would have created a clearer path to having absentee military ballots counted in the 2008 election and beyond.

Democrats, led by Speaker Pelosi, ultimately killed efforts to improve GI suffrage instead of working to extend the most basic democratic right to the men and women serving our country overseas. America is not fooled by Pelosi's empty words.

The Kansas City Star has a piece today about NRCC Chairman Tom Cole's summer-long efforts to get out on the road and experience firsthand the political environment in districts where Republicans expect to have a strong showing on Election Day. Chairman Cole recently visited Kansas' 3^rd Congressional District, where he witnessed the toll that the Democrats' energy obstructionism has taken on local businesses. As the story points out, it's more obvious now than it has ever been that without a serious commitment to real energy solutions and American energy independence, American businesses will bear the burden of the Democrat majority's energy failures. This much is clear: the country can't afford to wait for the Democrat-led Congress to stop playing political games and allow a vote on crucial energy legislation. The time to act is now.

Click here to read the full story from the Star.

In a piece in today's edition of the Los Angeles Times, columnist George Skelton argues in favor of increasing domestic oil production as a means to achieve American energy independence and relieve pain at the pump caused by the Democrats' continuous energy policy failures. Democrats are back at it, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who recently indicated that she would be tenable to a drilling "compromise" that actually places severe restrictions on offshore drilling, including a continued ban on drilling off of California's coast. Unsurprisingly, Pelosi's plan is just another smokescreen that might save the Democrats' political hides but won't solve America's energy crisis:

"According to people familiar with Ms. Pelosi's proposal, her plan borrows from a bipartisan plan proposed by a "Gang of 10" senators -- five from each party -- that allows several East Coast states to opt into drilling off their shores. It doesn't allow drilling off California or the eastern coast of Florida, the people said. Just a few weeks ago, the House speaker said Republican calls for a vote just on drilling was 'a hoax on the American people.'" (Wall Street Journal, 8/18/08)

According to Skelton, though, such a plan won't do much in the way of reducing American dependence on foreign oil:

"California is the nation's biggest consumer of gasoline -- 45 million gallons a day, plus 10 million gallons of diesel. That makes us the third-biggest petroleum-consuming entity in the world, behind only the United States and China.

"We are the nation's No. 3 oil-producing state, behind Texas and Alaska.

"But California produces only 39% of the crude oil it uses. An additional 16% comes from Alaska and the remaining 45% is bought from foreign sources, according to the California Energy Commission.

"So there's a gusher of hypocrisy here: The state that is the biggest consumer of gasoline in the nation -- but produces less than 40% of what it uses -- is opposed to drilling for more oil off its shores. We're slackers not pulling our weight." (Los Angeles Times, 8/18/08)

Even in the face of an ongoing energy crisis, Nancy Pelosi and her loyal Democrat followers refuse to address one of the country's most pressing problems. Instead, they continue to play games, attempting to score political points while hiding the fact that Democrats have obstructed and blocked every single piece of legislation aimed at both easing pain at the pump and providing for the country's energy-independent future. How many more sham proposals will the Democrats offer before allowing a vote for real energy solutions?

El Tinklenberg, Democrat candidate for Congress in Minnesota's 6^th District, was asked on tape recently about whether he would side with fellow Democrats in supporting union bosses over workers by supporting the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act." The bill, widely recognized as the Democrats' shady payback to Big Labor, would strip workers of their right to a secret union ballot. Even though almost 90 percent of Americans believe that a worker's vote should remain private, Democrats continue to thank union bosses for their generous financial support by pushing the Big Labor agenda in Congress.

When asked whether he sides with the voters of Minnesota or the Democrat establishment's Big Labor buddies, Tinklenberg couldn't be bothered to answer. See the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNRfIcGAGwE&feature=related

An editorial in today's Washington Post picks apart various myths perpetrated by anti-drilling Democrats and radical special interest group friends and helps put to rest any doubts about the immediate need for increasing domestic oil production. Democrat cronies at the National Resource Defense Council Action Fund took out full page newspaper ads this week in order to propagate the tired lines delivered by Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the drill-nothing Democrats that are keeping the United States from working toward lower gas prices and energy independence.

As the editorial notes, the need for American oil will not go away any time soon, and it is important to dispel the false rumors put forth by the Democrat majority as Republicans attempt to advance a sensible agenda for real energy solutions. Using misleading statistics about American oil production capabilities and outdated environmental dangers while continuing to push the sham "use it or lose it" concept will only dig a deeper hole for the country to climb out of in not-so-distant future. The closing lines say it all:

What's required is a long-term, comprehensive plan that includes wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels and nuclear -- and that acknowledges that oil and gas will be instrumental to the U.S. economy for many years to come.

Unfortunately, Republican efforts to move the country forward with a comprehensive energy solution have been repeatedly blocked by Speaker Pelosi and her drill-nothing cronies. With gas still at record high prices, voters won't soon forget the majority's vote for five-week vacation while Americans all across the country feeling the sting of Democrat failures.

Today's edition of Roll Call highlights the persistent and growing differences between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to developing sensible solutions to the nation's energy crisis. While Speaker Nancy Pelosi still refuses to bring Democrats back from their five-week vacation, Republicans began their third week of protests on the House floor as they fight for a vote to lower the price of gas and move toward American energy independence.

Even though Republican pleas for action have thus far fallen on the deaf ears of Democrat leadership, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) pledged today that Republicans would remain at work on the House floor until Pelosi calls Congress back into session.

According to Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), feedback to the Republicans' protests continues to be positive as the country unites behind its need for a sensible energy plan that includes short- and long-term solutions ﾖ a sign that Pelosi and her drill-nothing colleagues can't continue to ignore the American people when Democrats decide to return to work.

While Republicans are hard at work representing the majority of American people silenced by the Democrats' obstructionism, Nancy Pelosi continues to traverse the country promoting her book. Tonight she'll be on CNN's Larry King Live. Click here to send an e-mail asking why she continues to promote her own failing book while the American people continue to go ignored by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat majority.

Are you tired of high gas prices? Do you want to stop supporting some foreign thug every time you fill up your gas tank? Ready for a solution that goes beyond "inflate your tires, drive slower and drive less"? If that's the case and you live in Indiana's 2nd Congressional District, you need to be voting for Luke Puckett on November 4th.

Luke is running for Congress against freshman Representative Joe Donnelly (D) on a platform of common-sense solutions. When it comes to energy, part of a common-sense solution means expanding our supply of oil by drilling for domestic oil in places like the Gulf Coast and ANWR. We know there is oil in these places, but thanks to Washington's policies we can't access that oil. It's time for the government imposed barrier to lower gas prices and energy independence to come down.

In a newly unveiled television advertisement Luke talks about how families have been impacted by the gas price crisis, and what he is going to do to solve the energy problem when he gets to Washington. Luke believes that Americans don't have to settle for a lower standard of living and see their lives changed by high gas prices. If we start drilling for domestic oil while also developing alternative energy sources to replace oil in the long-term, we can see our gas prices come down and we can look forward to future of energy independence and affordable energy prices. See the new ad below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3RyMiJa368

With the Olympics only days away, Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi botched her balance beam routine on ABC with George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. The top House Democrat was asked repeatedly why by the former Clinton Administration official she would not allow a vote on drilling for more oil. Seven times, in a variety of manners and tacts, Stephanopoulos directly asked Madame Speaker why she would not allow a vote on offshore drilling, and seven times she bumbled a non-sequitur response, trying to simultaneously appease her radical environmental support and protect vulnerable Democrats from the wrath of Americans facing oppressive energy costs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBUnzX7vi4M

Luckily for the American Olympic team, Nancy Pelosi is restricting her frightful balance beam routine to the House of Representatives. For the same reason, the American people are not so lucky. They are paying through the nose while House Democrats enjoy their vacation and Democrats refuse to allow a vote.

Despite the miserable chance of getting a vote on a real energy solution, Republicans have continued to fight for America's energy independence,. Republicans have remained on the House floor to talk about energy while the Democrats are vacationing. Pelosi, in all of her power and cunning, has turned off the cameras, so the American public will need to find an alternative means to see the debate on real energy solutions.

With vulnerable Democrats feeling the heat on the energy issue, Speaker Nancy Pelosi admitted today in a Politico story that she will spend the months leading up to November's election playing games with the nation's energy policy. Politico revealed that Pelosi will permit vulnerable members to talk a big game about energy independence and lowering the cost of gas, but she will not permit a single energy vote before 2009. According to the story:

"California Democrat Nancy Pelosi may be trying to save the planet ﾗ but the rank and file in her party increasingly are just trying to save their political hides when it comes to gas prices as Republicans apply more and more rhetorical muscle.

"But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she's encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill...

"Asked if Congress will produce a comprehensive energy bill in September before Congress adjourns again for elections, [Rep. Nick] Rahall [D-WV] replied, 'This year? No...'

"Democratic House aides say the energy agenda has been carefully gamed out in strategy sessions, and Pelosi always intended to take heat on gas prices while tacitly encouraging more vulnerable Democrats to publicly disagree with her..."

Nancy Pelosi continues to play politics with one of the most pressing issues facing the country today. Republicans refuse to let her off the hook, and Republican members of Congress continue their protest on the House floor this week to let Pelosi and the Democrats know that the country's energy crisis demands immediate action instead of political games. The enthusiastic response from the millions of Americans who support real energy solutions is sending a loud and clear message to the Pelosi and the drill-nothing Democrats that their tricks aren't working.

Last week Congress adjourned for the August district work period without bringing up legislation that would lower gas prices. Throughout the summer, my colleagues and I have asked for a vote on an "all of the above" energy strategy that increases exploration, conservation, and innovation. And throughout the summer, Democratic leaders have avoided any meaningful votes for more American energy.

My colleagues and I introduced a comprehensive energy bill to reduce the price of gas last month. The American Energy Act offers a broad set of solutions, with everything from new drilling to new investment in the fuels of the future. This legislation aims to increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation efforts, and promote new technology that will help bring down the cost of gas.

The new legislation provides tax credits for the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles, home-based solar power and biomass, and energy efficient buildings. It also increases supply by opening deep water resources and the Arctic coastal plain. Thanks to some environmentalists and their Congressional allies, 85 percent of our deep-sea oil and gas fields are locked up and unavailable for drilling.

Last week I firmly opposed a vote for Congress to adjourn while Americans continue to suffer at the pump. Even after the lights, cameras, and microphones in the chamber were turned off, House Republicans were undeterred, continuing to make speech after speech demanding that Speaker Pelosi listen to the calls of the American people for more environmentally responsible drilling for oil and gas here at home to reduce the price at the pump.

While the Speaker shows just how out-of-touch she is by not allowing more environmentally-safe drilling for oil and gas, the American people are continuing to make their voices heard in the House chamber and across the country. Throughout the August break, both on the House floor and across the district, I will continue to hold the Democrat Majority accountable for their refusal to listen to the American people struggling with high gas prices.

While Speaker Nancy Pelosi is busy trying to "save the planet" Republicans in Congress took to the House floor today in Day Two of our protest against the Democrat Majority for refusing to hold a vote on drilling for more American oil.

The Democrat Majority in Congress is literally trying to keep Americans in the dark on lower gas prices. On Friday, after Speaker Pelosi gaveled the House to adjournment for a month-long vacation, Republicans announced we were prepared to stay and debate the energy bill to increase the supply of American oil and reduce our dependence on oil from unstable regimes in the Middle East. So what did Speaker Pelosi do to show leadership? She turned out the lights, shut off the microphones and tried to shut out reporters from covering the GOP debate. The headline on Drudge Report Friday afternoon blazed: "REVOLT ON THE HILL: LIGHTS OUT."

Republicans were back on the floor of the House this morning and will continue throughout the week to force Democrats to return to Washington, DC and get the job done for the American people of holding a vote on energy.

Check back tomorrow for more updates on The Revolt. Americans can't afford the Democrat agenda of no energy, no drilling, no solutions.

Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) is in hot water for his vote to adjourn the House of Representatives for recess despite the Democrat majority's inability to pass meaningful energy legislation before heading home for a five-week vacation.

Bill Dew, Republican candidate for Congress in Utah's 2^nd Congressional District, highlighted the fact that the resolution to adjourn passed by only one vote, giving Matheson the opportunity to stand up for the people of Utah who are paying almost $4.20 per gallon just to fill their gas tanks for everyday errands. Instead, Matheson voted with the Democrat majority, who can't get out of Washington quickly enough after failing repeatedly to pass sham energy legislation and refusing to take any meaningful action to combat record-high gas prices. Dew is running ads in Utah papers to emphasize the out-of-touch Matheson's loyalty to Nancy Pelosi and wants voters in the 2^nd District to know that he has no patience for Matheson's ongoing neglect of Utah's values while aligning himself with the drill-nothing Democrat leadership. See the ad below:

Bill Dew and the people of Utah are letting Jim Matheson know that they won't stand for a representative who blindly votes with Nancy Pelosi while they suffer the consequences. Visit www.billdew.com for more information.

According to Politico, Republicans refused to cooperate this afternoon when Nancy Pelosi attempted to send Congress home for a five-week vacation without passing, or even debating, a single meaningful piece of energy legislation. Democrats, who have put a full-on block on Republican energy solutions for the last several months, left for recess this morning, but a group of Republicans led by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) remain on the House floor while demanding consideration of energy legislation.

With the average price for a gallon of gas still hovering around $4, people across the country are forced to put their summer plans on hold. Not so for Washington, D.C.'s Democrat establishment, which is now on vacation for over a month while Americans struggle to make ends meet in the face of an ongoing energy crisis.

With Americans demanding action to ensure energy independence and lower gas prices, Republicans refuse to let Pelosi and her drill-nothing cabal have the last word on the energy debate. Democrats, on the other hand, find it fitting to head home to kick up their heels while the American people suffer from the burden of the Democrat majority's failures.

Follow the play-by-play action with Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) on Twitter. Check out his videos from the House floor on Qik, too.

An editorial in today's Examiner highlights the frustration that people across the country are feeling: the Democrat-led Congress has failed so badly in its legislative duties that members belong in Washington next month instead of campaigning back home during the scheduled August recess.

Besides holding Nancy Pelosi's feet to the fire for obstructing every piece of meaningful energy legislation proposed in the House, the Examiner also criticizes the do-nothing Democrats for their historical failure to pass legislation to continue funding the federal government. This is the first year in history that no such legislation has passed before the August recess. From ignoring the public's demand for energy action to gutting Congressional ethics rules to brushing trial lawyer corruption under the rug, this Democrat-led Congress has dropped the ball on almost every major issue America faces today.

Click here to read the article from the Washington Examiner.

A senior Democrat, apparently not content with his party's do-nothing approach on energy, has decided to make matters right with a proposal of his own. While Republicans have spent the last several months attempting to move forward with comprehensive energy solutions that provide both short-term relief and work toward the long-term goal of energy independence, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) offered a recommendation yesterday to set the American transportation infrastructure back over 200 years.

According to the Utica Observer-Dispatch, Nadler proposed to solve America's energy crisis by rebuilding the country's 18^th-century canal system:

Nadler told the O-D later he saw opportunities in the current energy crisis for Upstate New York to benefit.

"We should take a hard look at reviving the canals," Nadler said. Rail transport is cheaper than truck transport, and canal transport is even cheaper than that, he said. 

With an overwhelming majority of Americans demanding action to lower the cost of gas, Republicans are working hard to provide long-term stability to the country's energy future. Democrats can only offer sham legislation in order to run and hide from their do-nothing energy policies. Voters demand action on energy, which is the last thing they'll get out of this Democrat majority.

In a radio interview, Democrat candidate Larry Kissell let the listeners and voters in North Carolina's 8th District know that he is eager to join Washington's do-nothing Democrats and their efforts to block increased domestic oil production. On WDYT Charlotte's "Think Mornings with Jon Robinson," Kissell emphatically and repeatedly answered "NO" when asked if he would represent the overwhelming majority of Americans who support offshore drilling as part of an "all of the above" strategy for achieving energy independence.

Click here to listen to the audio clip of Kissell's outright opposition to real solutions for bringing down North Carolina's record-high gas prices:

Jon Robinson: You mentioned energy. How about, would you support offshore exploration for natural gas off the North Carolina coast...

Larry Kissell: (Interrupting) No.

Robinson: or oil refineries...

Kissell: (Interrupting) No.