CONGRESS ADJOURNS FOR SUMMER VACATION WHILE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS CAN'T AFFORD ONE

 MICCO FOR CONGRESS

Bergen, Passaic, Hudson Counties

201-575-9394

Rothman, Democrats Leave Energy Bill on the Table

RUTHERFORD NJ  -- While million of Americans are struggling with high energy and gasoline costs and many can’t afford to go on vacation this year, the Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9th) and the  rest of the Congress decided to go on vacation today, demonstrating their lack of  concern for the American people, said Republican congressional candidate Vince Miccco.

All but 17 Democrats voted for the House to adjourn today for a five week recess, even though the House has yet to pass any legislation to lower gas prices or deal with energy issues. The adjournment resolution passed by a single vote (213-212),

“While families in North Jersey are struggling to scrape together enough money to go to the Jersey shore for a vacation, Steve Rothman refused to cast a vote to Keep Congress working on the nation’s energy problems,” said Micco. “I guess Mr. Rothman was too worn out from playing politics with gas prices to continue working on a solution to American’s energy problems.”

Rothman and the Democrats left an important bill on the table -- The American Energy Act -- that would have allowed offshore drilling, created tax incentives for energy efficiency and relax regulations on refineries – among other measures to secure America’s energy future. Micco said that the Democrat leadership, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are afraid to bring that bill to a vote.

“Pelosi and Rothman know that the majority of American people support more domestic production of oil and the Democrats also know they don’t have the votes to block the passage of the  bill or to outlaw offshore drilling,”  said Micco, a proponent of offshore drilling.

“The Democrats are not interested in solving the nations’ energy crisis; all they want to do is talk about it and use it as an election issue.  They just want to exploit a crisis at the expense of American families. Their conduct is appallingly hypocritical,” added Micco, an Iraq War veteran.

Micco added that in a few months the winter heating season will start and the next crisis that Congress will fail to solve will be heating oil prices. “I am certain when Congress reconvenes in September, you will hear the Rothman and Pelosi moaning about how people can’t pay their heating bills this winter. But they don’t have the commitment to work through the summer on a solution for America’s dependence on foreign oil.”