Americans, Former President Clinton Agree: Dems Need to Do More on Domestic Energy

March 14, 2011

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Jason Altmire (PA-04), Tim Bishop (NY-01), Russ Carnahan (MO-03), Ben Chandler (KY-06), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Mark Critz (PA-12), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Tim Holden (PA-17), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Steve Israel (NY-02), Dale Kildee (MI-05), Ron Kind (WI-03), David Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Matheson (UT-02), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Bill Owens (NY-23), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Gary Peters (MI-09), Nick Rahall (WV-03), Betty Sutton (OH-13), John Tierney (MA-06), Niki Tsongas (MA-05), Pete Visclosky (IN-01), Tim Walz (MN-01), Anthony Weiner (NY-09), John Yarmuth (KY-03)

Americans, Former President Clinton Agree: Dems Need to Do More on Domestic Energy

West Virginia Democrat Nick Rahall Ignores Calls for More Energy Production

Washington — Americans are growing increasingly frustrated with Nick Rahall’s Democrat leaders, who are delaying domestic energy production as gas prices continue to climb. Instead of encouraging more domestic production, which would reduce our dependency on foreign oil and create jobs in the energy sector, President Obama has dragged his feet and delayed energy projects with red tape. Will Rahall call upon his Democrat leaders who are delaying domestic energy production to help families and small businesses struggling with the burden of gas prices, or will he defer to his past record of opposing domestic energy production?

“Although rapidly rising gas prices continue to push West Virginia families and small businesses to the brink, Nick Rahall has not called upon President Obama and his Democrat leaders to stop dragging their feet on domestic energy production,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “Even former President Clinton says that these Democrat-led delays are ‘ridiculous’ in light of the fragile state of our economy. Unfortunately, it seems that Rahall will continue to stand by his party leaders’ ‘ridiculous’ job-crushing domestic energy policies, like when he opposed lifting the Obama Administration’s ban of offshore energy expansion last year.”

Nick Rahall previously voted against lifting the Obama Administration’s moratorium on offshore oil drilling. (H.R. 3534, Motion to Recommit, Roll Call Vote #512: Rejected 166-239: R 149-11; D 17-228, 7/30/10)

An overwhelming number of voters want to expand domestic oil and gas production:

“By a 66-25 percent margin, likely voters say President Obama should encourage more oil and gas exploration offshore…” (Ben Geman, “THE HILL POLL: Drill more to ease energy crisis, voters say,” The Hill, 3/14/11)

And even former President Clinton called the Obama Administration’s inaction on gas prices “ridiculous”:

“Former President Bill Clinton said Friday that delays in offshore oil and gas drilling permits are ‘ridiculous’ at a time when the economy is still rebuilding, according to attendees at the IHS CERAWeek conference. … Clinton said there are ‘ridiculous delays in permitting when our economy doesn’t need it,’ according to Noe and others.” (Darren Goode, “Bill Clinton: Drilling delays ‘ridiculous,’” Politico, 3/11/11)

Although expanding domestic energy would combat rising gas prices and create quality jobs in the energy sector, Nick Rahall continues to side with his Democrat leaders who continue to delay these moves and stifle energy production. When will Rahall get the message from his constituents in West Virginia that immediate action is needed to tackle rising gas prices?

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