Yeah I hear that!
Dear Friends,
By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard about the amazing effort taking place on the floor of the House of Representatives. Last Friday, the House passed an adjournment resolution with a vote of 213-212. Afterward, many Members took to the House floor to protest the fact that Congress was leaving for a five-week vacation without voting on a comprehensive energy bill. Many of my colleagues joined me in opposing adjournment because we believe that there is still work to be done.
We will continue the protest throughout the month of August by demonstrating on the House floor and meeting with constituents in our districts. Through these efforts, we hope to convince President Bush and Speaker Pelosi to bring the House back into session and schedule a vote to help lower gas and energy prices.
How You Can Help
Many of you have called my offices and shared your displeasure with high gas prices. I know that you are making sacrifices in your personal lives to accommodate for the high price of gas. Some of you have said you cannot attend away games for your children’s sporting events. Some of you have said you can no longer afford the extra expense of going to church on Wednesday nights. I want to hear more about your struggles so I can continue to call for action from Congress. I have established a special email address, PainAtThePump@mail.house.gov. Email me and tell me about how high gas prices are causing hardships for you and your family. I will share your comments with my colleagues on the House floor.
In addition, I will be on the House floor tomorrow from 11:00am to 1:00pm and I encourage you to join me here in Washington, D.C. I would be happy to escort you on to the floor so you could participate in this effort. Please contact my office at (202) 225-4465 for more information.
Past Energy Advocacy
Energy affordability for New Jersey’s families has long been a priority of mine. Earlier this year, I asked Secretary Bodman at the Department of Energy (DOE) to thoroughly consider the company DSM’s proposal to develop commercially viable renewable fuels in Belvidere, NJ. The DOE approved DSM’s grant request and DSM hopes to develop a cost-effective sustainable renewable source of biofuel.
Earlier this summer, I called on Speaker Pelosi to bring H.R. 5984, the Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act, to the floor for consideration. If these tax credits for wind and solar industries and investment expire, thousands of jobs would be at risk. Since the Senate has already passed similar language, with a bipartisan vote of 88-8, a procedural stalemate in the House is unacceptable. America needs to expand its renewable energy resources and this bill would help stimulate innovation.
In addition, I have recently signed two discharge petitions which would require the House of Representatives to consider legislation to promote responsible American energy production. The No More Excuses Energy Act, H.R. 3089, would encourage new refinery construction, boost alternative energy development, and increase drilling in the U.S. The second bill, H.R. 2279, would expand American refining capacity on closed military installations.
I know New Jeresyans are suffering. I’ll be joining my colleagues on the House floor this week to call for decisive action from Congress to lower gas prices in order to relieve the strain on our families.
Sincerely,
Scott Garrett
Member of Congress