Democrats would rather lose than vote on drilling

The Hill:

House Democrats for the third time in a row have failed to move a key part of their energy agenda forward.

In a 268-157 vote on Thursday, Democrats fell short of moving legislation to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which Democratic leaders argue would lower gas prices. Democrats needed two-thirds of the House to support the bill because it was placed on the suspension calendar, a tactic that prevents Republicans from offering procedural motions.

Democrats held their entire caucus and picked up 37 Republican votes.

Democrats twice previously had lost suspension votes on their “use it or lose it” bill to force energy companies to diligently work toward getting oil and gas out of their leased lands or be forced to vacate them.

Republicans derided the majority’s continued use of the suspension calendar, which is motivated in part to avoid votes on drilling in coastal waters.

“It takes 218 votes to pass a bill in the House,” said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.). “I don’t know why we’re playing the smoke-and-mirrors game.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) defended her approach.

“We’re bringing up the bill because of this very discrete suggestion: This will reduce the price at the pump,” Pelosi said Thursday. She said measures to open the reserve and force energy companies to drill on leased lands are meant to be discreet votes “which we believe are in the direction our country should go in.”

Pelosi denied that Democrats are relying on the suspension calendar to avoid a vote on opening up now-closed areas in the Gulf of Mexico and possibly Alaska to drilling.

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Pelosi wants to continue the failed anti energy policy of the Democrats. This is just part of teh Democrat politics of fraud where they will pretend they are trying to do something while avoiding doing the thing that is most needed, increasing the supply.

Their opposition to increased supply is completely irrational and that is why they will not give the House a chance to vote on it. What they are doing is giving the Republicans an issue where they can tell voters the only way that we can increase the supply is to put in a Republican majority. Put us in charge and we will let the House vote on increasing the supply of oil. Demcorats know they are on the wrong side of the voters on this issue. That is why they are scramgling to avoid responsibility.