Right fight on the Hill
What’s going on in Washington? Votes on defense, energy, and taxes are on the way. Sen. Jim DeMint’s office sends a helpful update by conservative for conservatives:
Week of Sept. 15-19
Highlights
* Cloture vote on Defense Authorization bill on Tuesday
* Energy/CR/Tax Extenders still up in the air
* American Energy Freedom Day rally this WednesdayOn the Floor
Last Friday Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed cloture on the Defense Authorization bill (S. 3001) and vote on cloture is expected Tuesday afternoon. Democrats have agreed to allow a vote on Sen. DeMint’s amendment to strike a section of the bill incorporating all of the committee report earmarks by reference. It also appears they will allow a vote on Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) amendment regarding military voting and a resolution offered by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) noting the success of the troop surge in Iraq.On the Radar
After working on the Defense bill Senate leadership has signaled it will likely move to tackle energy legislation first (three main proposals will be considered: the Democrat plan, a GOP plan, and the Gang of 10 plan) and then move on to tax extenders, which will include an AMT fix. However, Reid’s “to-do” list to be completed before Congress adjourns in two weeks includes energy, tax extenders, and a continuing resolution (CR) — all of which could ultimately be packaged in any number of ways. It’s possible we could see a return of the evil “CRomnibus” where the House starts with the CR, adds a bunch of energy taxes, throws in the extenders, air-drops a bunch of wasteful spending, and then tosses it over the fence 24 hours before the government shuts down with a “take it or leave it” attitude. Also, and it’s still possible the House will send over another stimulus bill before things wind down as well.American Energy Freedom Day Update
October 1 is just around the corner and conservatives on and off of Capitol Hill are gearing up for a showdown on how to solve our nation’s energy crisis. On Wednesday afternoon from 2:30-3:30, a rally will be held on the terrace of the Cannon House Office Building. Members of Congress participating include Sen. DeMint and Reps. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), with more expected to confirm. Groups participating include Americans For Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, National Taxpayers Union and any and all of you interested in urging Congress to allow its OCS ban to expire once and for all.
***
Ace of Spades is really, really frosted about the Gang of 10′s sellout bill. (Language warning). If you aren’t mad about it, you will be after you read his post.
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What no debate? Typical.
What I want to hear is that the Republicans are not going to cave to the Gangsters of 10 and that McCain isn’t going to support them either.
We all need to call or email our Senators. “Drill Here, Drill Now!” Do what’s right for America, not what’s politically expedient!!!
We must stop the Gang of ten before they sell us out.
Will Barry, Biden and McCain show up?
Ace of Space?
Spades! I need some coffee!
“CRomnibus.”
Crime-nibus.
Its a simple freaking concept. We don’t have enough oil so we should drill for more. My god how hard is that?
Email letter sent to RNC:
Thanks for taking note of the Gang of Ten sellout, we need to stop this thing. No way can we let the corrupt tools in Congress get away with another swindle like this, and McCain better not support this lousy Gang of Ten legislation if he wants to win this election.
Texas,
If you don’t mind I tweaked your response to the RNC and sent one of my own. It’s the only way they’ll learn.
Kind of like less taxes means more money in circulation. Can’t think to hard and be a lefty.
Just called the Senatorial Committee
425 2nd Street NE | Washington, DC 20002 | Telephone: (202) 675-6000
Advised the young lady that if the gang of 10 goes against the wishes of the base McCain may be elected but he will have no help in the Senate because we will not be voting down ticket my exact words were “I hope they like being in the minority”
This may be a good opportunity for Palin tom step in and maybe put the Dems back on the defensive.
Would Bush veto this bill?
If the polls are to be believed, drilling here and drilling now is politically expedient.
Incumbents need not apply.
We got a damn war going on and our elected officials are playing pocket pool. Vote all of the bums out!!!! Replace them with Politicians that are serious about protecting us and providing us with energy so we can afford to drive to our jobs.
Just be aware, McCain may come out in favor of the Gang of Ten sellout.
“Gang” is a four-letter word.
I am honored that you thought it worthy. Please be my guest.
Mike
WTF is wrong with McCain? This Gang, that Gang, amnesty, McCain-”name a Democrat”, etc. The guy has absolutely zero guiding principles.
You do what’s right regardless of what the polls say. If doing the right thing is popular, that’s not political expediency!
A counterpoint to consider. Perhaps McCain is the only one WITH guiding principles and is, unfortunately, taking others at their word when they profess the same guiding prinicple…only to be betrayed. Now I am not saying this as fact, only a point to ponder.
JUST TELL THE POLITICIANS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! American corporations will race to drill, develop oil shale and build nukes if the do nothing CONGRESS would just do nothing and let the moratoriums expire on October 1.
EVERY TIME that Congress tries to fix something it just gets more broken.
The Corner has more on the Gang of Ten Bill.
Why do Republicans always get rolled by Democrats in these “compromises?”
These men are supposed to be the best and the brightest we send to Washington to speak for us? What will it take for them to understand that “compromise” does not have the same meaning for Democrats as it does for Republicans.
The side of evil has no interest in resolving problems. Their only interest lies in creating problems and instilling discomfort for the American people. There is no profit for them in resolution.
They expand their power by creating inefficient social programs, and appointing fellow liberals to run those programs. The failure is blamed on conservatives, and new equally inefficient programs are created and administered. It’s a vicious circle that can only be ended by electing new representation, and getting rid of those socialists, and their Republican enablers.
NO COMPROMISE–NO SELLOUT–no gang of ??. Draw the line in the sand–like at the Alamo. Shut down the house / senate if necessary. Take no prisoners–use the “bully pulpit” like Teddy Roosevelt did–the internet, talk radio, and the Fox Channel.
When the enemy (congress) has a 9 percent approval rating (for the mathematically challenged this is a 91 percent disapproval rating) the time to win is here. DRILL HERE!–DRILL NOW! VOTE OUT ALL WHO WILL NOT BACK THIS!
John Bibb
I love it when a conservative gets fired up.
That was beautiful.
And he’s exactly right. This BS gets passed and it will destroy the issue and destroy our ability to get US oil at the same time.
I’ll call each one of these five dumb [expletive deleted] today.
Graham needs to defeated. Plain and simple.
Some of us here in SC tried to vote Grahamnesty out, but didn’t get it done. Thank God for Jim DeMint!
How about this: The oil explorers should just go ahead and start drilling in ANWR and off the shore and any other place there is oil. We see what the government does to enforce the immigration laws, maybe they will be failures at enforcing the oil bans as well. If they do get back bones and go to punish the companies, we demand they receive AMNESTY. After all, they would just be looking to better the lives of Americans.
On September 16th, 2008 at 1:00 pm, pianoman said:
I was one of those.
OTOH, it did feel quite refreshing to send Grahamnesty a scathing, “exactly what I think about you, you loose limbed sell-out” email to Lindsey boy.
I sure hope China, Russia, Mexico and Japan (to name a few) honor our drilling bans.
not.holding.breath
Thanks Democrats!
Oh, and thanks for the $70 billion financial bailout. That is $230 per every man, wonam and child.
The Gang of ten has expanded to the gang of 20. Both of my senators are in the gang. I sent Chambliss an E-mail this morning condeming him for it and told him he DOES NOT HAVE MY VOTE!! I’ve never voted Democrat, but there’s always the first time. Among all the bad things about the 20 Bill, is that 600,000 workers will supposely lose their jobs. I’m trying to find the E-mail telling me about it. If I do, I’ll post it. I also E-mailed Johnny Isakson and complained about his participation. If I can get Chambliss out of office, I’ll be happy. He no longer represents me and my family.
‘The American Dream’ is in grave danger of being permanently over in light of the current disaster unraveling on Wall St. Shamnesty and this ridiculous ‘Gang of Nothings’ bill will be the bucket of ice water in the face following the awakening.
Dammit, Corker! Get your head out of your a$$ and get with the program!
WE WANT TO WIN, NOT COMPROMISE WITH THESE MARXIST JERKS!
I DID NOT VOTE FOR YOU FOR THIS CRAP!
STAND UP AND FIGHT! FIGHT FOR BOUNTIFUL AMERICA! FIGHT LIKE A MAN(or a woman from Alaska) AND TAKE THESE JERKS HEAD ON!!
Saw this at The Corner last night. I sent the McCain camp an e-mail telling him not to support it.
I hope he listens to all the bloggers out there who are against this!
So far, it appears that his campaign manager does listen to Rush’s show and read these blogs. That’s good!
Excellent point but one thing missing. Our refinery infrastructure is beyond the limit of capacity. Refiners take units down for preventative maintenence and disrupt the flow of product to the consumers. We are literally at 100+% of refining capacity.
We haven’t built a new refinery in 30+ years due to bowing and scraping to TreeHuggers-R-Us. You can have all the crude in the world…but if you can’t refine it, it is useless.
Here’s something from The Corner @ NRO.
Spread the word, and let’s kill this nonsense!
The Democrats are sitting ducks on this energy issue. WE HAVE %70 OF THE PEOPLE ON OUR SIDE HERE! WHY THE HELL SHOULD ANYONE COMPROMISE WITH THE LOSERS, AGAINST %70 OF AMERICA!
DAMMIT CRAPWEASEL RINOS, WAKE UP!
I see the Democrats are saying that the Oil companies already have leases to drill now. Why are they not doing that?
Have they already determined the land they have leased is a dry hole or the expense is not worth the effort and are waiting for better deals? If they can drill now, why aren’t they?
Anybody know why?
If I were an oil company, I would want to explore and produce where the likely yield is greatest. That seems to be precisely where the Democrats have been fighting the hardest to keep off limits even to exploration and surveying, much less production.
Democrats don’t want to find out how much oil there is in America. Why? Why?
Yes, you already nailed it: Dry hole. Parcels are bundled for the leases. Some places in the lease produce oil, some don’t. It would be like bundling the Great Salt Lake in a tuna fishing lease and then demanding to know why the fisherman isn’t fishing for tuna in GSL!
TxEng,
Also, all our refineries seem to be in Hurricane Alley. Can we please build a new refinery or two… in a more or less safe location?!
T-Bone – yes. Either the land hasn’t shown any promise in it’s seismic analysis or what oil appears to be there is economically unfeasible to extract.
If the gov’t got out of the way, “they” could have a new refinery up and running before the well was completed. Nothing has to be invented for an efficient safe refinery. It’s simply a matter of fabrication.
But to look at it from an economic perspective, refining has not been an especially attractive investment. I can’t speak though to how much of the historically limited profits is due to gov’t intervention vs. “market conditions”.
Or declaring Iowa off-limits, but giving farmers leases in the Mojave desert. Then, demanding to know why they aren’t using those leases to grow corn.
Yes Socky – but just look at the advantages. With all that sunshine, the farmers could use solar powered tractors and save all that diesel fuel.
So it’s what I thought. Instead of addressing the issues, the Democrats throw a red herring out there to obfuscate and confuse the electorate.
Wow, they really are about the issues. The issues of how to deceive and change the subject to suit their political needs. ie “The war is lost” and “We can’t drill our way out of this.”
And 50% of the country buys this garbage.
T-Bone,
Have a look at the maps noting water depth of the “off-shore” areas where we are allowed to explore. A significant percentage of these areas are in water depths that…while possible to drill in…are so deep that the costs of drilling are prohibitive. The other red herring that the Left is throwing is to linearly extend the “success rate” of drilling for those areas that are producing oil to ALL areas. They ignore the fact that the seismic surveys have pinpointed the most likely areas for drilling success and pointed out the areas that would most likey come up with a dry hole. They want us to drill without regard to what the surveys indicate…like in the old days of wildcatting. Poke a hole in the ground and either oil flows or it doesn’t. They want to ignore the cost of drilling.
Jed Clampett found oil just shooting at some food!
I just heard an ad on local talk radio here in Tennessee taking Bob Corker (R-TN)to task for supporting this stupid cave-in to the Democrats. People are aware and are fighting back already here.
Excellent.
As you might have deduced from my earlier comments in this thread, I voted for Corker against Harold Ford, Jr. in that Senate race, and his support of this “compromise” has me a little perturbed at him right now.
I. HOPE. CORKER. IS. LISTENING.
I miss Fred.
T-Bone…
now…Wikipedia Warning…take this with a LARGEgrain of salt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_seep
but the USGS info looks pretty solid
http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/seeps/
And when they figure out how to make it seep up into a storage tank from 12,000 feet deep…I’m sure that a Texas company will have been at the heart of it.
Mike
Ahhhh, yes business as usual by the Dems. Getting little to nothing done. The lemmings won’t care and those well-informed voters who pay attention will be angry and even more disenchanted about the state of things in Washington.
America, do you really want Dems to do nothing? Because you will get nothing.
Seep and ye shall find.
I read somewhere that the natural seepage of oil offshore amounts to way more oil into the sea than was leaked due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Facts don’t matter to enviro-nazis, though.
DemocratsLiberals, which have hijacked the Donkey party, do not want to drill. They consider it to be EXTREMELY damaging to the environment. They want oil to be banished forever. That is what drives their thinking.It also is what is so moronic about thier ideas. As mentioned above, seepage from not using oil is also damaging. The use of the word “extremely” is also an exageration.
They seem to omit many of the facts that are inconvenient for thier ideology.
You can not change a worldwide infrastructure overnight. If you try, you are in for a world of hurt. The economic damage alone could be devestating. How about all the by-products of oil. Do we abandon them also? Can renewable energy sources replace all the by products like plastic? We are all pretty much in agreement that foreign oil is lining the pockets of our enemies and is a danger but would the danger increase if these oil countries had nothing to sell. What would they do? What would happen to their economies? Wouldn’t all economies suffer? I see a bad moon on the rise if that happens.
Bottom line is there is no way in heck that oil and all it’s related industries, by products, economies, infrastructure, etc can be replaced in the near future. Deal with it! NO WAY!
We can , however, more actively look into alternative energy solutions, which will lessen our dependence on oil and its detrimental impact on our environment. Just not at the disasterous cost that Democrat leaders want to impose on us. What foolishness, and these are leaders?
They now fear that we will not look at alternatives unless the punishment of not doing so is high. So their plan is to punish us! That way, we will finally move toward their position and they will stand firm until we do. It’s all about getting thier way at all cost. Damn the tropedoes, full steam ahead. Thats our leaders. Not a voice of reason among them.
Chuck Norris actually praises the Gang of Idiots in his Townhall blog today:
Here’s the link:
http://townhall.com/columnists/ChuckNorris/2008/09/16/the_coming_revolution
What a maroon.
BTW,
The Russian stock market fell 17% and had to be shut down as margins were called on falling oil futures.
That’s a Black Monday (Tuesday, whatever)
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6ff9306c-83f1-11dd-bf00-000077b07658.html
See what damage we can inflict on our enemies with just the threat of drilling? Drill, Baby, DRILL!!
I was one of those too.
Drill baby drill. I signed up to vote here in tulsa and i will not let barry kill my country.
Oh goodie. The House has passed the Democrats’ farce of an energy bill.
Hey 30 pcs of Ag…did you ever get a reply from the RNC to your email? My inbox is relatively pristine…nary a word.