AFS Cinema
Supports Drilling in U.S.
RECEIVED Mon., July 7, 2008
Dear Editor,
Despite high fuel costs, the Democratic leadership in this Congress refuses even to allow a vote on increasing American energy production. Instead, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and leading House Democrats are trying to hike taxes on domestic energy production and increase our reliance on OPEC.
Last year, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) introduced an appropriately named bill, the No More Excuses Energy Act (H.R. 3089) in an effort to increase the supply of energy produced in America, but Democrats refused even to allow a vote on the bill.
On June 10, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to increase U.S. energy production and invest in alternative sources of energy. Since Speaker Pelosi will not bring Thornberry's bill to the House floor, a discharge petition is the only way to force a vote. According to House rules, Walberg will need 218 signatures (a simple majority) to bring it to vote. He has 150 signatures to date. All of us frustrated Americans should continue to press Congress to act immediately. America would not have to import one million barrels of oil per day if President Clinton had not vetoed exploration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1996. Drilling in ANWR would translate to more than $40 billion per year America would not have to import.
Despite high fuel costs, the Democratic leadership in this Congress refuses even to allow a vote on increasing American energy production. Instead, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and leading House Democrats are trying to hike taxes on domestic energy production and increase our reliance on OPEC.
Last year, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) introduced an appropriately named bill, the No More Excuses Energy Act (H.R. 3089) in an effort to increase the supply of energy produced in America, but Democrats refused even to allow a vote on the bill.
On June 10, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to increase U.S. energy production and invest in alternative sources of energy. Since Speaker Pelosi will not bring Thornberry's bill to the House floor, a discharge petition is the only way to force a vote. According to House rules, Walberg will need 218 signatures (a simple majority) to bring it to vote. He has 150 signatures to date. All of us frustrated Americans should continue to press Congress to act immediately. America would not have to import one million barrels of oil per day if President Clinton had not vetoed exploration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1996. Drilling in ANWR would translate to more than $40 billion per year America would not have to import.
Gerard Kern