Roskam's "Griswold" Family Vacation to Washington
by Matthew Hay Brown, Chicago Tribune
Washington,
Aug 4, 2008 -
The lights have been dimmed and Congress has gone home, but a couple dozen House Republicans continued their floor protest today of what they're calling the "Pelosi shutdown" - the decision by Democrats last week to adjourn for the previously scheduled August recess without voting on opening new areas to drilling.
"What heartens me as I hear the speeches of the men and women gathered around me is that I know in my heart we are speaking and giving voice to the will of the overwhelming majority of the American people who want this Congress to return to Washington, D.C., and give the American people more access to American oil," said Rep. Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican.
"I'm absolutely confident that, if this Congress were brought back to Washington, D.C., and given an opportunity to vote on giving more access to the American people of American oil, that there is a bipartisan majority in the Congress that would pass that measure."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has labeled calls to open more domestic areas for drilling "a hoax." Democrats have pushed Bush to release supply from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and say oil companies should explore the tens of millions of acres on which they already hold drilling leases before they are given new areas are opened up.
"Democrats offered a real solution to high energy prices that would bring immediate relief within 10 days by forcing the President to free our oil from the nation's stockpile," Pelosi said. "The Republicans propose to give away public lands to Big Oil, which will not immediately reduce the price at the pump and save Americans only 2 cents 10 years from now. This Republican hoax is unworthy of the serious debate we must have to reduce the price at the pump and promote energy independence."
MoveOn.org, meanwhile, is threatening a counterprotest on Capitol Hill, where members are planning to hand out bumper stickers tagging Republicans as the Grand Oil Party.
Republicans say they support alternative energy sources, but more drilling must be part of the mix.
"In my district, you'll see a lot of wind turbines," said Marilyn Musgrave, a Colorado Republican. "You'll see a lot of activities in labs for research and development of biodiesel and other renewables and alternatives. It's poised to be one of the leading districts in the nation on renewables.
"But what you'll also see is a lot of oil and gas activity, especially in Weld County, where there's great agriculture going on and yet a lot of exploration."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer dismissed today's protest as a "stunt" perpetrated by a "smattering" of Republicans.
"Meanwhile, most of their Republican colleagues returned home burdened with trying to explain why they blocked efforts to combat high gas prices," the Maryland Democrat said. "Republicans voted against expanding drilling in Alaska, against promoting renewable energy, against establishing the first new vehicle efficiency standards in 32 years, against repealing taxpayer subsidies for major oil companies that are making record profits, against cracking down on price gouging, and against curbing excessive speculation in energy markets.
"For six years, Republicans controlled every branch of government and did nothing while America became more dependent on foreign sources of oil. House Republicans now want to dust off old proposals, rejected by Congress on a bipartisan basis as bad ideas, and claim they have put forward 'solutions.' "
Rep. Peter Roskam, an Illinois Republican, said he was at home with his family on Sunday afternoon when his BlackBerry buzzed with word of the day's session.
"I loaded up the minivan with our four children, just like the Griswolds, and we drove through the night," he said. Covering the 725 miles from Wheaton, Ill., to Washington in 14 hours, he averaged an energy-efficient 52 miles per hour.
"You sense the change that is happening in the debate," Roskam said. "You sense the change that the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, Senator Obama, is beginning to see the light on this and we welcome him to see the light on this. ...
"I think if we can continue to push, continue to push, continue to push, then ultimately the American people are going to be winners."
The Griswolds, of course, are the ill-starred travelers from National Lampoon's Vacation movies.
