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Shimkus, Republicans pushing for energy legislation before congressional break

BY THE SOUTHERN

Monday, August 4, 2008 11:55 AM CDT

WASHINGTON — Congressman John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, joined about two dozen House Republicans Friday in protesting Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to adjourn Congress for a five-week break without a vote on the American Energy Act.

The House Republicans stayed behind in the chamber after the microphones and CSPAN cameras were turned off and spoke to visitors and media in the gallery.

Today, a number of Republicans continued this effort to fight for an up-and-down vote on comprehensive energy legislation to deal with record high gas prices.

"I applaud my colleagues’ efforts and support the call for an emergency session to deal with these unprecedented high gas prices," Shimkus said. "The American Energy Act is a comprehensive energy policy that would open up additional areas for energy development, including the Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and oil shale areas on government land," Shimkus said.

The Act, he said, also contains tax incentives for fuel efficient vehicles, tax credits for home and business energy efficiency improvements, a program to develop the next generation of extremely fuel efficient vehicles, and an expedited refinery permitting process.

"This is an all of the above approach,” Shimkus said. “It is not just drilling. We must tap into every avenue available to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. American energy creates American jobs.

“The American Energy Act includes my stand alone legislation related to coal to liquid fuel and would expand our use of nuclear energy and alternative fuels."