Calls on House Democrats to 'Stop Playing Politics with American Energy Independence'

Contact: Matt Lloyd, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, press office, 202-226-4379

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /Standard Newswire/ -- U.S. Congressman Mike Pence gave the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today about the House Democrats' energy plan:

"The American people are hurting. They're struggling under the weight of record gasoline prices and in that cause Republicans have been fighting for a comprehensive energy bill that includes more drilling. Three-quarters of Americans agree with us.

"Just last week, the drill-nothing Democrat Congress announced they would bring an energy bill to the floor that includes more drilling and now they say Republicans have to take 'yes' for an answer.

"Well, I would suggest to my countrymen that they look at the fine print. The drill-nothing Democrat Congress has brought a bill that actually includes basically 'drill-almost-nothing' provisions.

"They say 'yes' to drilling, but not in Alaska, not in the Eastern Gulf and not within 50 miles. They say 'yes' to drilling but states can decide, even though they get absolutely no revenues for choosing to drill. I guess states are just going to allow drilling out of the goodness of their hearts. They say 'yes' to drilling but litigation rules will allow environmental lawyers to tie up all leases from the very day they're filed.

"I say to my House Democrat colleagues from my heart, on behalf of our constituents who are struggling under record gasoline prices: 'End the charade! Stop playing politics with American energy independence! Bring a full and fair debate to this floor, and we will achieve a bipartisan result.'"