Maine GOP Chair Comments on Tom Allen’s Vote to Adjourn for August Recess

By Mark J. Ellis

For Immediate Release Contact: Jen WebberJuly 31, 2008 Phone: (207) 939-0213 Maine GOP Chair Comments on Tom Allen’s Vote to Adjourn for August RecessThis lack of action is disappointing and not what Mainers expect or deserve when they are facing skyrocketing costs to fuel their cars and heat their homes this winter. PORTLAND, ME -- In January 2007, Democrats took control of Congress and promised a "common sense" plan to lower gas prices. Instead, gas prices under the Democrat-controlled Congress have risen from $2.33 a gallon, the first day of the Democratic Majority, to $3.94 a gallon today. Now, House Democrats, including Congressman Tom Allen, who is a member of the House Energy Committee, have voted to go on vacation rather than try and fix the problem. “It's disappointing that Tom Allen voted to go on vacation rather than work to address our current energy crisis,” said Maine Republican Party Chairman Mark Ellis. “High gas and oil prices are the most urgent problems facing Mainers right now, and instead of working to come up with solutions, Allen voted to adjourn for the August recess. This lack of action is certainly not what Mainers expect or deserve when we are facing skyrocketing costs to fuel our cars and heat our homes this winter. Nor is it the kind of action one takes when asking for the promotion Mr. Allen seeks.” ### "17 Democrats Side with GOP on Adjournment Resolution"Roll Call (subscription only) July 30, 2008By Jennifer Bendery, Roll Call Staff

House Democratic leaders on Wednesday narrowly averted having to go into a pro forma session for the August recess.

Republicans were able to corral 17 Democrats into voting with them against a resolution to adjourn for the August recess. The final vote was 213-212.

The GOP-orchestrated move was in protest of Democratic leaders not bringing a Republican energy package to the floor before lawmakers head back to their districts for five weeks.

Democrats who voted with Republicans included members of a bipartisan energy working group that favors offshore drilling in the mix of solutions to bring down gas costs.

The 17 Democrats were Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), Michael Arcuri (N.Y.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Bruce Braley (Iowa), Christopher Carney (Pa.), Travis Childers (Miss.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Brad Ellsworth (Ind.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.), Nick Lampson (Texas), Dave Loebsack (Iowa), Jim Marshall (Ga.), Harry Mitchell (Ariz.), Patrick Murphy (Pa.), Joe Sestak (Pa.) and Tom Udall (N.M.).

House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) said Democrats who voted to adjourn “should be held in contempt for voting to skip town without dealing with America’s energy crisis.”

Instead, Putnam said, they should “put their boarding passes back in their pockets and get to work” by taking up the GOP energy package that includes, among other provisions, offshore and Arctic drilling in the mix of solutions to growing gas costs.

"Congress to jet without fuel price fix"Politico/July 31, 2008Spurred by high oil prices, legislation to tighten regulation of commodity markets showed surprising strength in the House on Wednesday. But the continued stalemate over energy policy means Congress is going home for the summer having failed to provide any immediate relief for drivers squeezed by high gasoline prices. Congress to jet without fuel price fix