House Democrats “Kill” Investment in Alternative Fuels
When Given the Chance, Congressional Democrats Refuse to Encourage American-Made Energy Production, Promote American Energy Independence and Lower Gas Prices
June 4, 2008
With Americans paying $4 gasoline, they are demanding their elected officials take meaningful steps to increase the supply and use of American-made energy. Today, unfortunately, a number of House Democrats dashed those hopes, instead walking in lock-step with party leaders.
Earlier today, Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) offered an amendment in a House Science Committee session to allow the federal government to expand its use of alternative fuels and energy derived through next-generation, environmentally friendly means. The Capitol Hill publication Congressional Quarterly reported:
“Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., offered an amendment to the NASA bill (HR 6063) that would have deleted language in the 2007 law (PL 110-140) that prohibits federal agencies from buying alternative fuels ... Gingrey called the provision in the law ‘misguided.’ … The amendment was then tabled, or killed, by a [party-line] vote of 20-14.”
More than two years ago, Democrats who now control Congress promised a “commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices.” And last July 4th was dubbed “energy independence day” by the Democratic Congress.
Yet when given the chance to take decisive action to implement real solutions to our energy crisis, 20 Democrats on the Science Committee killed it. Who are they?
gop.gov.
Democratic Representative
How They Voted on
Expanding the Use of Alternative Fuels
Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) NO
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) NO
Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY) NO
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL) NO
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) NO
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) NO
Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN) NO
Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-OR) NO
Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX) NO
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) NO
Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) NO
Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) NO
Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) NO
Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) NO
Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) NO
Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) NO
Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) NO
Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH) NO
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) NO
Rep. David Wu (D-WA) NO
Responding to the Democrats’ lack of leadership on this critical issue and their no-energy energy strategy, Rep. Gingrey said in a statement today: “NASA has historically been on the cutting edge of innovation with numerous contributions to the technologies that we use on a daily basis in the United Statees. Currently, NASA is partnering with the Air Force and is already aggressively conducting research to convert domestic energy sources – coal, natural gas, biomass, and oil shale – into cleaner and more economical alternatives to traditional jet fuel. However, as gas prices continue to rise, and at a time when we could best utilize the research of emerging technologies for alternative fuels, with Section 526 the Democratic Majority has effectively stymied innovation at NASA that could potentially help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” |
