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Congressman McCaul Delivers Gas Receipts, Message to Speaker Pelosi

August 7, 2008

AUSTIN – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) delivered hundreds of gas receipts with messages from frustrated drivers in the 10th District to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office in Washington, D.C. Rep. McCaul collected them at gas stations in Austin, Brenham and Tomball, hoping the messages would help convince Speaker Pelosi to allow comprehensive energy legislation to lower gas prices to come to the floor for a vote.

"This is the voice of the people. I’m giving them a direct voice back in Washington," Congressman McCaul said at a Capitol press conference holding up a handful of receipts. "When the Speaker of the House turned off the lights, turned off the microphones, the cameras, it was attempting to shut down the debate. But she can’t shut down the will of the American people. This is still the peoples’ house."

Congressman McCaul spoke on the House floor in protest of the Speaker’s decision to adjourn for the August recess without voting on legislation to lower gas prices. He read aloud, on the floor and during the press conference, some of the messages his constituents wrote on the backs of receipts.

"Nancy, please listen to the people. We must work to lower gas prices."

"Thanks for doing nothing."

"Dear Nancy, please help us with our fuel. (From) the ranchers of Lee County."

"I would appreciate your help. This is too high for working people."

"Ms. Pelosi you are killing small businesses."

Rep. McCaul challenged all Americans to send their receipts to Speaker Pelosi.

American-Made Energy

Congressman McCaul has long supported an "all of the above" approach to increasing American-made energy and lowering gas prices. He most recently sponsored the American Energy Act which balances environmentally responsible drilling for oil and natural gas in areas that are currently off limits with the need to develop alternative energy such as wind, solar, hybrid and nuclear.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, such a plan that gives America energy independence long-term would still lower gas prices short-term. Failing to increase domestic supply keeps the U.S. dependent on countries that know they can charge a premium.

Relief Denied, Demanded

Democrats shut down the House for the five week recess Friday without allowing a vote on comprehensive energy legislation since their party took control of Congress in January 2007. That month gas sold for $2.33 per gallon. Since this past February, when gas climbed above $3, Democrats had 70 working days in Washington to allow such a vote, but did not.

Pelosi and the Democrats have gone to such lengths to avoid a vote on comprehensive energy reform that they failed to pass a single appropriations bill before August for the first time since the 1950’s. An appropriations bill would be open to amendments and would have allowed Republicans to force a vote on a comprehensive energy strategy that Democrats know they would lose.

Upon adjournment Friday, Republican leaders signed a letter to Speaker Pelosi demanding that she call an emergency session to vote on bills that would lower gas prices.