Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined 189 colleagues in voting against H.R. 6899, the only energy bill that Speaker Pelosi has allowed to come to the House Floor for debate. Instead of doing everything we can to address the energy crisis, Speaker Pelosi’s bill refuses to offer real solutions to the energy crisis and actually limits our ability to free ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil.

Simpson and 147 other Members of Congress believe it is critical to debate H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, a bill that puts everything on the table, including domestic drilling, conservation, alternative resources and long-term solutions.

"Americans are sick and tired of Washington’s political games, especially when it comes to addressing the energy crisis that directly impacts family budgets, businesses and our economy," said Simpson. "Thousands of Idahoans have contacted me, calling for an ‘all of the above’ solution, and still Speaker Pelosi won’t allow a real energy solution to be debated on the House floor. Instead, the Democrats believe that the American people aren’t paying attention, hoping they can pull the wool over their eyes with a bill that looks like a solution but does nothing to help them."

"Perhaps if Speaker Pelosi is afraid of a comprehensive solution, she should allow each solution to stand on it’s own, allowing members to have their say on each issue: drilling, alternative resources, nuclear power, and conservation," said Simpson. "America deserves a real debate concerning all possible solutions."

The facts about H.R. 6899, the Democrats’ energy plan:

• Permanently prohibits production within 50 miles of the shore. Nearly 80% of the oil in the Outer Continental Shelf would be off limits under this bill, including areas in Alaska where exploration is just starting;
• Virtually ensures that no new drilling will occur in the Outer Continental Shelf by refusing to provide states with a share of royalties collected by the federal government;
• Fails to allow environmentally sound oil production in ANWR, which has the potential to provide 5,475 barrels of oil per acre;
• Permanently prohibits oil shale development and refuses to expand nuclear energy capabilities;
• Eliminates the manufacturing tax credit that encourages major US oil companies to operate domestically, creating American jobs and limiting our dependence on foreign oil;
• Includes NO language to expand nuclear energy or develop new refineries in the US.

The Facts about H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, which Pelosi won’t bring to the floor:

• Opens deep water ocean resources (3 million barrels of oil per day and 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas);
• Opens the Arctic coastal plain (1 million barrels of oil per day);
• Allows development of oil shale resources (2.5 million barrels of oil per day);
• Cuts red tape to increase refining capacity;
• Provides tax incentives for purchasing more fuel efficient vehicles and improved energy efficiency;
• Establish a renewable energy trust fund using revenues generated by domestic production;
• Permanently extend the tax credit for alternative energy production, and;
• Eliminate barriers to the expansion of nuclear power production.

"Over the past few months, House Democrats have used unprecedented and overbearing tactics to ensure that Republicans cannot bring any legislation up for debate that offers a viable energy solution," Simpson said. "I believe that H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, would go far to addressing our nation’s energy crisis, and I am hopeful that we will finally have an opportunity to vote on it so that it cam be signed into law."