The House GOP wants to stay...

[Flacolaco]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archi...1/1241323.aspx

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
House Republicans really want us to understand that they are outraged about the House's departure today for a five-week recess while the question of more drilling for oil goes unanswered here in Washington.

The House had its last vote at around 11:23 am ET, a motion to adjourn that was greeted by Republican catcalls from the floor and cries of "Work! Work!" from their side of the aisle. In case you missed it, they have been trying to force votes on an expansion of offshore drilling and in ANWR for weeks now.

Nancy Pelosi has dug in, calling the proposal a "hoax." Ad hoc bipartisan groups have formed in an effort to seek compromise, but so far they haven't gotten anywhere. The House has now gone, and members have streamed out of the exits on their way to the airport, with the Senate soon to follow. They will be back after Labor Day for perhaps just three weeks before leaving again -- not to return until January and a new Congress, followed by a new administration.

Now the lights are out in the House, but somebody is still home. In a effort that could be called a grandstand play -- if there were people actually in the grandstand -- a handful of House GOP leaders is on the floor talking to an amen chorus of what looks like a few dozen staffers, speaking at the top of their lungs for lack of an active amplification system about the need for drilling legislation. No cameras, but the press balcony is open and reporters can witness the odd spectacle if they choose to, as many are.

[DirkFTW]

This saddens me and my wallet. I think the plan is for them to keep oil high, eliminate all tax cuts and exemptions and tax the heck out of the oil companies... thus earning record profits for Congress.

"No organization has ever... in the history of this great nation... or even the world, recorded such record profits as Congress plans to this next quarter term. For the first time in my life, I am proud to be an American politician."

[Evilmav2]

House members are starting to post pirate video from inside the chambers, and evidently Pelosi is doing her best to stop it from getting out on the web. Here is a link to a Qik stream that John Culbertson posted:

http://qik.com/video/147408

[Evilmav2]

Here's the money quote of the afternoon from within the unlit house chambers:

Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the dimly lit chamber is a “vision of the future by the Democrat Party: The lights are out, there’s no power, and the air conditioning is gonna go off soon.”

[Flacolaco]

That is nuts.

But Pelosi says, let them eat cake. She has some vacationing to get to.

Nothing on any major news sites... Nobody cares.

[Flacolaco]

Some democrats join GOP to ease drilling ban..

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/0...-drilling-ban/

[DirkFTW]

House Dems turn out the lights but GOP keeps talking

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats adjourned the House, turned off the lights and killed the microphones, but Republicans are still on the floor talking gas prices.

Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders opposed the motion to adjourn the House, arguing that Pelosi's refusal to schedule a vote allowing offshore drilling is hurting the American economy. They have refused to leave the floor after the adjournment motion passed at 11:23 a.m., and they are busy bashing Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for leaving town for the August recess.

At one point, the lights went off in the House and the microphones were turned off in the chamber, meaning Republicans were talking in the dark. But as Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz..) was speaking, the lights went back on and the microphones were turned on shortly afterward.

But C-SPAN, which has no control over the cameras in the chamber, has stopped broadcasting the House floor, meaning no one was witnessing this except the assembled Republicans, their aides, and one Democrat, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), who has now left.

Only about a half-dozen Republicans were on the floor when this began, but the crowd has grown to about 20, according to Patrick O'Connor.

"This is the people's House," said Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.). "This is not Pelosi's politiburo."

Democratic aides were furious at the GOP stunt, and reporters were kicked out of the Speaker's Lobby, the space next to the House floor where they normally interview lawmakers.

"You're not covering this, are you?" complained one senior Democratic aide. Another called the Republicans "morons" for staying on the floor.

Update: The Capitol Police are now trying to kick reporters out of the press gallery above the floor, meaning we can't watch the Republicans anymore. But Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) is now in the gallery talking to reporters, so the cops have held off for a minute. Clearly, Democrats don't want Republicans getting any press for this episode. GOP leaders are trying to find other Republicans to rotate in for Blunt so reporters aren't kicked out.

Update 2: This message was sent out by Blunt's office:

"Although this Democrat majority just adjourned for the Democrat 5-week vacation, House Republicans are continuing to fight on the House floor. Although the lights, mics and C-SPAN cameras have been turned off, House Republicans are on the floor speaking to the taxpayers in the gallery who, not surprisingly, agree with Republican energy proposals.

"All Republicans who are in town are encouraged to come to the House floor."

Update 3: Democrats just turned out the lights again. Republicans cheered.

Update 4: Republican leaders just sent out a notice looking for a bullhorn, and leadership aides are trying to corral all the members who are still in town to come speak on the floor and sustain this one-sided debate.

Also, Republicans can thank Shadegg for turning on the microphones the first time. Apparently, the fiesty Arizona conservative started typing random codes into the chamber's public address system and accidentally typed the correct code, allowing Republicans brief access to the microphone before it was turned off again.

"I love this," Shadegg told reporters up in the press gallery afterward. "Congress can be so boring. ... This is a kick."
» Continue reading House Dems turn out the lights but GOP keeps talking

Update 4: The scene on the floor is kind of crazy. Normally, members are not allowed to speak directly to the visitor galleries, and visitors are prohibited from cheering. But in this case, the members are walking up and down on the floor during their speeches, standing on chairs. The visitors are cheering loudly. Some members even brought in visitors, who are now sitting on the House floor in the seats normally filled by lawmakers, cheering and clapping. Very funny.

Democrats faced a choice here: Should they leave the cameras on and let Republicans rip Pelosi & Co. on C-SPAN, or should they leave the cameras off and let the Republicans have their "tantrum," as one Democratic aide characterized it, with the cameras off? So the cameras are off, but Republicans, and the crowd, are clearly enjoying the scene.

Update 5: Republicans are literally hugging each other on the House floor. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), not normally known as a distinguished orator, just gave a rousing speech, accusing Democrats of stifling dissent. He referenced President John Quincy Adams, who returned as a House member after being defeated in his presidential reelection bid. Waving his arms and yelling, Manzullo brought the crowd (including a lot of staffers shipped in by GOP leaders to fill up the place), and he left the floor to hugs from his colleagues. You don't see that up here every day.

Update 6: Rep Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) just pretended to be a Democrat. He stood on the other side of the chamber and listed all of the GOP bills that the Dems killed.

He then said, "I am a Democrat, and here is my energy plan" and he held up a picture of an old VW Bug with a sail attached to it. He paraded around the House floor with the sign while the crowd cheered.

Link 1

Dems turn out the lights but GOP won't go home Part II

Here are the latest updates on the continuing GOP protest on the House floor:

The House adjourned about three hours ago, but GOP lawmakers — outraged that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats went home for five weeks without allowing a vote on offshore drilling — have refused to leave the floor. Even though C-SPAN can't show you what's going on (C-SPAN is prevented from showing what's happening on the floor when the House is out of session), Republicans are holding an unprecedented session on the House floor. They have brought in dozens of their members, who are walking up and down the aisles making speeches. They have packed the floors and galleries with staffers. When Capitol Police tried to remove reporters from the gallery, Republicans stopped it from happening. The crowd has repeatedly broken out in chants of "Vote, vote, vote!" There are several dozen Cub Scouts sitting on the House floor in seats normally occupied by members.

Update: A GOP staffer just informed me that post-adjournment protests by the minority party are not unprecedented. The Democrats did it back in 1995, when the Republicans were in control. Democrats placed a big photo in the speaker's chair of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) wearing a diaper. Republicans note they are being more respectful this time.

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), who was on a plane headed home, went back to the Capitol, walking on to the floor dragging his luggage. He got a standing ovation.

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) called it a "new Boston Tea Party!"

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) said he was "not leaving until we call this Congress back into session and vote for energy independence."

Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the dimly lit chamber is a "vision of the future by the Democrat Party: The lights are out, there's no power, and the air conditioning is gonna go off soon."

Link2

GOP talkathon Part III: No shirt? No tie? No problem

No shirt? No tie? No problem.

Michigan Republican Mike Rogers returned to the House floor in shorts and sandals to take his turn at the podium, as the Republican talkathon continues on the House floor, hours after the chamber formally recessed for the week.

Looking like he was ready for the links in a pair of cargo shorts and a short-sleeve shirt, Rogers said he was preparing to drive back to Michigan when he pulled a U-turn and headed back into town.

"I had gotten in my car to drive home and I realized I didn't have enough money to pay for the first tank of gas," said Rogers.

Republican Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah was also spotted on the House floor in shorts and sandals.

Rep. Kevin Brady returned to thunderous applause when it was announced he had gotten off of a plane right before takeoff in order to deliver a speech. He said the day had turned things completely upside down.

"Normally they clap when I am leaving here with my bags packed," he said with a laugh. "Not the other way around."

As of 3:30, the speeches continued, with no sign of letting up.

Link3

GOP Talkathon Part IV: Come on Down

With the public viewing galleries shutting down for the night, Rep. Kevin Brady has just invited everyone down to the House floor to keep the protest going.

It has been quite the scene on the House floor this afternoon, as GOP staff members have kept the chamber filled with an eclectic assortment of people.

Boy Scouts, members of the German army, stray tourists and even members in shorts and t-shirts have all been spotted on the floor at different times.

While Democrats have privately decried the breakdown in order, Republicans defended the protest.

"You are not witnessing a revolt," said Rep. Mike Pence. "You are witnessing democracy in action."

Rep. Donald Manzullo also delivered a passionate speech, saying today was his late father's birthday.

After relating how his father, an Italian immigrant, came to live in Illinois and own a little grocery store, Manzullo brought the crowd to its feet with this line: "The people of this country are rising up and saying, 'We want our country back!'"

Link4

LOL

[chumdawg]

I guess if what they want is power, they ought to earn it with votes.

[alby]

drill here. drill now. pay less.

[Evilmav2]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I guess if what they want is power, they ought to earn it with votes.

Democracy often moves in chaotic and ill-disciplined ways. The will of the people is rarely thwarted for long by corrupt interests within a structured, non-totalitarian, democratic political system, and I think we saw shades of that this afternoon...

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Evilmav2

Democracy often moves in chaotic and ill-disciplined ways. The will of the people is rarely thwarted for long by corrupt interests within a structured, non-totalitarian, democratic political system, and I think we saw shades of that this afternoon...

But they willl love the manifestation of their ideals, won't they? They will love it very much.

[Evilmav2]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

But they willl love the manifestation of their ideals, won't they? They will love it very much.

I'd guess that most folks would probably love the idea of some of their representatives revolting and loudly rebelling in favor of drilling more oil in the U.S., because drilling for more oil in the U.S. is so obviously a beneficial thing to do for the vast majority of Americans. Such drilling would not only give us a cushion against the ever growing international demand for petroleum that is driving this current price increase, but if coupled with a significant improvement in American nuke and coal plant energy production capacity, it will help to buy us some breathing space over the next decade or two as American-driven innovation powers, smashes, and crushes to make the promise of truly efficient, non-fossil fuel derived, alternate energy sources a reality rather than a dream...

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Evilmav2

Lots (not all, but again, lots) of folks would probably love the idea of their representatives revolting and loudly rebelling in favor of just about all American folks' best interests- that being lower gas prices and the increased probability of future American energy independence...

And that would be a neat trick. As it were.

[Evilmav2]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

And that would be a neat trick. As it were.

Is this the Audacity of Pessimism? We're reaching 'peak oil' so it's time to turn off the power? No more American thermostats set at 72 degrees in the Summer? No more suburban living for the non-rich, because blue collar folks aren't going to be able to afford to fill up their gas tanks because petroleum is running out and will soon be too expensive for the common man? Maybe we should all be riding bicycles and living in government owned near-city-center high rises, like folks did a decade ago in East Germany and Albania?

NO, HONDO!

America won't stand for that kind of an abortion of our national Will, Destiny, or Prerogative of Individualism, and I daresay any fool political party that makes a stand in favor of the scum, elitist, pro-expensive energy policies that the stupid, semi-socialist, increasingly militant environmentalist Dem's have been fooling around with will see their goals and themselves rent and demolished by the practical sense and anger of an electorate that likes being able to drive RV's and mid-sized cars and trucks (and not just 2-seat bubble cars and priuses), and fly cheaply, and heat their houses inexpensively in Winter, and know that the money they are spending at the pump isn't helping to prop up dictators in equatorial Africa or Venezuela or Iran.

More American drilling will not make us completely energy independent in the next few years, but it sure as HELL will help to lower the cost of gasoline for the average American, and it will help to give us more time to develop the kind of efficient alternate energy production infrastructure that we damned well will need in the very near future if we want to extricate our great continental nation from the toxic, trapping morass of dependency on foreign energy...

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Evilmav2

NO, HONDO!

America won't stand for that kind of an abortion of our national Will, Destiny, or Perogative of Individualism, and I daresay any fool political party that makes a stand in favor of the scum, elitist, pro-expensive energy policies that the stupid, semi-socialist, increasingly militant environmentalist Dem's have been fooling around with will see their goals and themselves rent and demolished by the practical sense and anger of an electorate that likes being able to drive RV's and mid-sized cars and trucks (and not 2-seat bubble cars and priuses), and fly cheaply, and heat their houses inexpensively in Winter, and know that the money they are spending at the pump isn't helping to prop up dictators in equatorial Africa or Venezuela or Iran.

More American drilling will not make us completely energy independent in the next few years, but it sure as HELL will help to lower the cost of gasoline for the average American, and it will help to give us more time to develop the kind of efficient alternate energy production infrastructure that we damned well will need in the very near future if we want to extricate our great continental nation from the trap and morass of dependency on foreign energy...

"OohRah!

[chumdawg]

We should be drilling off the coasts, to be sure. But good luck convincing the Californians so.

[Evilmav2]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

We should be drilling off the coasts, to be sure. But good luck convincing the Californians so.

For the last 27 years, has it been the state of California stopping Fina and Total and Mobil and Exxon, and later Mobil-Exxon, and Chevron, etc... from drilling off the West coast of the United States? And how about in the Eastern United States... Has it been North and South Carolina prohibiting continental shelf drilling? Maybe Georgia, Virginia, or Alabama? Florida, perhaps? All of those states would have stood shoulder to shoulder, hard and fast, against the enormous state tax revenues that sizable off-shore oil exploration and drilling would have produced in all of their respective states, wouldn't they?

States rights would certainly exert themselves in a matter like this, wouldn't they? Wouldn't THEY?!?!?!?!

[dude1394]

Actually imo this shouldn't be left up to the states. This is a national issue and is bigger than the desires of a single state. Sort of like the border fence.

They can write that into the bill but I hope they do not.

[dude1394]

I was wondering if Der Fuerher had actually ordered CSPAN to turn off the cameras in the house last week, an low and behold she did.

What does it REALLY say when speech is actually censored? Sounds like CSPANs charter needs to be taken out of the control of the ruling party.

The session will not be televised, since C-Span does not control the cameras inside the House chamber. Rather, those come under the purview of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats, and they're unlikely to do anything to help Republicans.

But Republicans felt they got a lot of good press out of Friday's "revolt," so they will be back at it again, and younger GOP lawmakers were clearly energized by the tactic, something not evident among Republicans for most of the 110th Congress.

[DirkFTW]

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK):

“The oil might not flow for a year or two, but the jobs will start immediately…Right now, this House is an obstacle, not a platform.”

Link

[DirkFTW]

SUMMER VACATION!!!!!

Well, only for schools and Congress.