Hoyer, holding his weekly session with reporters, would not discuss details of the new Democratic energy bill — which was first outlined by caucus Vice Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) over the weekend. But Hoyer did outline the process for bringing the bill to the floor, and said it will be brought up under regular order.
“[Republicans] will have the opportunity to offer their alternative, yes,” Hoyer said in response to a question about how the energy bill will be introduced. “We understand that their motion to recommit will be their Republican alternative.”
The move is a dramatic departure from Democrats’ pre-August recess strategy, in which they brought up each of their energy bills under suspension of the rules and, in doing so, avoided having any votes on Republican measures calling for offshore drilling. But by embracing this strategy, Democrats also failed to get the two-thirds majority necessary to pass the majority of their energy bills.
The Republicans made sure that all of America understood that it was Pelosi, Hoyer and the Democratic crew that was standing in the way of a drilling vote and refusing to lift the congressional ban on offshore drilling after the President lifted the presidential ban.
The pressure has been applied in a massive manner and multiple polls have shown that Obama, Pelosi and the majority of Democrats have been at direct odds with the majority of voters.
With McCain and Palin taking the lead over Obama and Biden in the polls, the democrats cannot afford to appear to be going against the people which means they have to allow this or kiss their butts goodbye.
Details of the Democratic bill are supposed to unveiled today.
Pelosi blinked and the Republicans need to pounce in this area because they have the solid backing of the majority of people behind them.
H/T Hot Air
After this vote I fully expect the Republicans to remind folks, via video, how Obama fought against drilling before he agreed to back it as part of a bigger plan, which had been the Republican lawmakers stance the whole time, aptly named "All Of The Above."
Drill Baby, Drill!!!
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