Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

White House says no to special session of Congress
The Hill ^ | Aug 4, 2008 | Jackie Kucinich, Jared Allen, Sam Youngman

Posted on 08/04/2008 11:11:49 AM PDT by BufordP

The White House has rejected calls from House Republicans that it convene a special session of Congress on energy, saying it wouldn’t make a difference.

“We don't have plans to call Congress into session -- it won't make a difference if Democratic leaders are unwilling to bring up a bill for an up-down vote,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) asked President Bush to convene the special session in an Aug. 1 letter. The same day, House Republicans launched an unusual protest on the House floor urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to call Congress back to work.

"Since Speaker Pelosi has decided not to keep the House in session to allow this vote to take place, we urge you to use the power vested in you by the Constitution to convene an immediate energy special session of Congress,” the letter said.

The protests continued Monday, with several House Republicans speaking on energy from the House floor, despite the fact that the House has adjourned and C-SPAN is not televising the proceedings. Cameras are not allowed in the House without the Speaker's permission.

“We know congressional Democrats won't pass all of the appropriations bills -- they've already demonstrated their failure with that -- but when they return they'll have a month to at least address the top priorities: funding our troops by passing the DoD [Department of Defense] appropriations bill, and the bringing to the floor of the Interior appropriations bill to allow for votes on oil shale and exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf,” Fratto said in an e-mail.

A spokesman for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said McCain supported bringing Congress back into session to address energy issues.

House aides said that while the president can declare that Congress must sit for an emergency session, he cannot set the agenda – only the leadership of the majority party can do that.

Pelosi’s office could not be immediately reached for comment.

About 20 House Republicans re-launched their floor action after a short press conference where no questions were taken. The speeches to visitors and staff in the House gallery began at about 10 a.m. Monday.

In an attempt to build momentum and steer more listeners into the chamber, GOP leadership staff sent e-mails to colleagues encouraging them to bring their tours to view the protest.

Speeches have varied from the mundane to the raucous, with Rep. Don Manzullo’s (R-Ill.) impassioned pro-drilling speech ending with hugs from colleagues and a standing ovation from the crowd.

Some members came with props: Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) came to speak with a large photo of Pelosi with the words “I am trying to save the planet” written beneath it. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) arrived with an empty red gas can and an energy-efficient light bulb.

Members said they planned to continue their floor action through this week and possibly through the month, depending on member participation.

Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) officiated over the parade of members and encouraged listeners to call the Capitol switchboard and ask to speak to Pelosi's office.

No members of the GOP leadership attended Monday’s demonstration, but Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) will attend the protest on Wednesday and Thursday, according to his office. Minority Leader John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) staff indicated he would try to attend at the end of the week despite a flurry of campaign appearances across the country.

Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) will also return to speak during the week.



TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: 110th; congress; energy; gasprices; gop; legacy; legacymode; oil; pelosi; summer; wheresnancy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-102 next last
To: MrB
I think trying to keep the economy from going into a recession because the Dem leadership is held hostage to the radical left is a crisis. This WH is brain dead to the massive impact gas prices have on ordinary people and the Bush WH could whack $ 10-15 off the price of crude by demanding a special session! What the heck is his problem ???
61 posted on 08/04/2008 12:07:12 PM PDT by ncalburt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: BufordP
“We don't have plans to call Congress into session -- it won't make a difference if Democratic leaders are unwilling to bring up a bill for an up-down vote,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

This White House has a singular lack of political acumen.

62 posted on 08/04/2008 12:09:16 PM PDT by sauropod (What do Osama and Obama have in common? They both have friends that bombed the Pentagon.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ncalburt

Not saying I take the position that I posted,
just offering an alternate view.


63 posted on 08/04/2008 12:09:27 PM PDT by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Cyber Liberty

This is probably why Bush has been getting his butt kicked around in the media for the last 7 1/2 years.

Naw....W could have found the cure for Cancer and AIDS and the media would have him coming off as egotistical and arrogant for not letting someone else find the cure. The longer this goes and gets attention the better for Republicans.
Pelosi is looking like an ass clown regarding this....


64 posted on 08/04/2008 12:10:27 PM PDT by oust the louse (Terrorists are salivating over an Obama White House.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: BufordP
“We don't have plans to call Congress into session -- it won't make a difference if Democratic leaders are unwilling to bring up a bill for an up-down vote,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

Ok, let me see if I understand this. President Bush could call them back, but they could still refuse to vote on the Energy Bill? If that is the case then I can see him not doing it. It would just make it look like a publicity stunt on the part of the Republicans.

I think what we all need to do is call Nancy Pelosi and give it to her. Not President Bush. I have already called and e-mailed her.

65 posted on 08/04/2008 12:14:28 PM PDT by Spunky (You are free to make choices, but not free from the consequences)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BufordP

Doesn’t the offshore drilling ban expire on Oct 1, 2008?

I believe it does.

Since it would require reauthorization for it to continue, the time is not now to make this an issue, but when some ‘RAT congresscritter puts it into a “must pass” appropriations bill just before the budget year expires on Oct 1.


66 posted on 08/04/2008 12:16:11 PM PDT by Ouderkirk (I will not vote for Obama not because he is black, but because he is RED)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: adorno
Well said, but don't you know the Oligarchy rules?
67 posted on 08/04/2008 12:18:09 PM PDT by jnsun (The LEFT: The need to manipulate others because of nothing productive to offer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: BufordP

Foxnews ran the news conferance in the House hall. I think it was Pence who said something like “While Democrats left town for summer vacation we know most American’s can’t afford one this year because of high gasoline prices” It was a great line!


68 posted on 08/04/2008 12:19:16 PM PDT by chris_bdba
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Ouderkirk

if the ban does expire oct. 1, 2008, this was a very wise move for bush to help mccain in nov. nothing like hammering the issue home closer to the election. imo.


69 posted on 08/04/2008 12:27:35 PM PDT by robomatik ((wine plug: renascentvineyards.com cabernet sauvignon, riesling, and merlot))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: IbJensen

Then there's this one.

70 posted on 08/04/2008 12:30:41 PM PDT by IbJensen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: YLLady

I am not very proud of her representing me. It is very sad that Pelosi is the best the majority could offer us.


71 posted on 08/04/2008 12:32:45 PM PDT by proud2beconservativeinNJ ("In God We Trust")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: YLLady

I am not very proud of her representing me. It is very sad that Pelosi is the best the majority could offer us.


72 posted on 08/04/2008 12:35:08 PM PDT by proud2beconservativeinNJ ("In God We Trust")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: BufordP
The White House has rejected calls from House Republicans that it convene a special session of Congress on energy, saying it wouldn’t make a difference.

What do they mean "The White House"? As far as I know George Bush is the White House.

I for one am through defending him. I'll be glad when he's gone. He's been a tremendous disappointment other than the War on Terror. I never want to hear the words "compassionate conservatism" again. It was a foolish approach to dealing with democrats.

73 posted on 08/04/2008 12:39:08 PM PDT by McGruff (In loving memory of a lost FRiend YaYa123.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BufordP

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. This White House is the most incomptent when it comes to PR in the modern era. The point of a Special Session is to make the Rats come back and put them on the spot in front of the country. The Drive Bys would have to cover it because it has not been done in a long time.


74 posted on 08/04/2008 12:39:35 PM PDT by The South Texan (The Drive By Media is America's worst enemy and American people don't know it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: adorno

Very nicely said. Put a sentence or two recap of the House situation up front and send it to your newspaper.


75 posted on 08/04/2008 12:43:10 PM PDT by Eroteme
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: BufordP
I agree with the POTUS. It would make 'US' "FEEEEL" good but would do nothing but anger the DBM into a lovefest with their cohorts in the Democrap Party, combining their talking points to bash the GOP and POTUS, and never ONCE putting the attention on the drilling question.

The Democraps don't give a rat's A$$ about bad PR because they NEVER get any from ANY MEDIA outlet save FNC and talk radio.

76 posted on 08/04/2008 12:44:42 PM PDT by PISANO
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BufordP
"Since Speaker Pelosi has decided not to keep the House in session to allow this vote to take place, we urge you to use the power vested in you by the Constitution to convene an immediate energy special session of Congress,” the letter said.

What the heck is Bush thinking? He NEEDS to call them back into session to prove to Americans that the RATS are a do nothing party. Nothing good, anyway. Since Pelosi is on a mission "to save the planet" she will never bring that bill to the floor. They need to start impeachment proceedings against her. Immediately!! She is making Americans suffer because of her environ_MENTAL_ist agenda. Of course, the bwitch doesn't suffer like Americans are because her husband is loaded. Besides, taxpayers foot the bill for her jet and her fleet of limos and suvs.

77 posted on 08/04/2008 12:47:36 PM PDT by NRA2BFree (LIBERALS SHOULD BE EUTHANIZED FOR THE "COMMON GOOD.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MrB
I hear ya. The Bush WH has been a train-wreck for awhile.
Bush's be nice to Dem strategy has resulted in the mess in Congress and his zero credibility.
A Clueless lot. Its the illegal alien crap over all again.
Ignore the Repub base and kiss up to the Dems.
78 posted on 08/04/2008 12:49:38 PM PDT by ncalburt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: BufordP

This is exactly where Republican leadership fails miserably. The point is NOT whether or not the Democrats will allow a vote, the point is to keep them in Washington and let the public see that, day after day, they won’t allow the vote. I am just AMAZED at how politically stupid the White House can be!


79 posted on 08/04/2008 12:52:34 PM PDT by AdaGray
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BufordP
Pubbies end revolt and go home at 5:00 p.m. Friday

Photobucket
Blink


White House says no to special session of Congress

Photobucket
Blink







Dem-rat responds:

Photobucket


80 posted on 08/04/2008 12:52:35 PM PDT by TomGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-102 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson