Statement from U.S. Rep. Mark Udall on Friday that was inserted into the Congressional Record

The Rocky

Published August 1, 2008 at 3:29 p.m.
Updated August 1, 2008 at 3:29 p.m.

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Madam Speaker, I must oppose this motion to adjourn, because I think the House should continue trying to pass legislation to improve our national energy policies.

Regrettably, so far our repeated efforts to do that have been thwarted by the refusal of our friends on the other side of the aisle to support any of the proposals that have been considered.

They seem ready to put a perceived political advantage over working on a bipartisan basis to achieve results.

Otherwise, I cannot explain their recent votes on energy legislation.

Looking back, we see that a majority of Congressional Republicans have time and again voted against sensible energy legislation.

They have voted against renewable energy, against the first new vehicle efficiency standards in 32 years-saving $1,000 in fuel costs per car per year - and against reducing transit fares for commuter rail and buses.

They have voted against expedited drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve and against adding a due-diligence requirement that could stimulate expedited exploration and development on other Federal lands already leased for that purpose.

They also voted against releasing 10% of the record amounts of oil stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (to be replaced with heavy oil that is better suited for that storage) even though that addition to the supplies on the market could ease gas prices.

And, finally, too many of our Republican colleagues opposed better regulation of the commodity markets, to reduce the ability of speculators to artificially increase the price of oil, even though the bill had been approved in the Agriculture Committee by voice vote and was supported by the committee's ranking Republican Member.

So, I certainly understand why many of our colleagues are prepared to give up for now and adjourn today in order to begin the normal August district work period.

But I think we owe it to our constituents and to the country to stay here at least for now, and to continue working on energy legislation. And for that reason, I cannot vote for this motion to adjourn.

• August 1, 2008

  4:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  DougV writes:

  He's kidding, right? The Republicans stayed behind after the adjournment, to talk energy policy. Republicans want to bring the issue of opening up additional drilling/exploration areas, such as the outer continental shelf - Pelosi won't let that come to a vote. BTW, on the vote to adjourn for the summer, the vote was 213 for, 212 against (all the Republicans, and a few Democrats) and 10 representatives did not vote. Among those 10? Rep. Mark Udall, D-CO. If he truly objected to the motion, he could have courageously voted "No" instead of abstaining. Let a vote on drilling happen. If the majority Democrats really believe it's not the right answer, then they can vote against it. Cowards.

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