Shea-Porter Ducks for Political Cover Behind Dems' Sham "Energy" Bill

For Immediate Release:                                                                  Contact: Press Office
September 17, 2008                                                                                     (202) 479-7070

Shea-Porter Ducks for Political Cover Behind Dems’ Sham “Energy” Bill
Shea-Porter Votes Against Bi-partisan Compromise, Sided with “Dead on Arrival” Bill Instead”

Washington- Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) struck a political low-note for what may be her short-lived career in Congress as she voted against a bi-partisan compromise to address America’s energy crisis (House Roll Call 598).  Instead, Shea-Porter voted to pass a sham energy bill designed as “an elaborate exercise to give their Members a heaping dose of political cover” (Roll Call 9/15/08) (House Roll Call 599).

The sham bill that Shea-Porter decided to vote for has been called “just a political stunt half-measure,” (Belleville News Democrat Editorial, 9/16/08) because it was written by Democrat leaders in the middle of the night, and didn’t allow one single amendment to be offered:

“When they took the majority, House Democrats proclaimed that ‘bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full and fair debate consisting of a full amendment process that grants the Minority the right to offer its alternatives.’ Why not on drilling?” (Washington Post Editorial, 7/25/08)

At a time when nearly 80 percent of Americans have asked members like Shea-Porter to increase America’s domestic energy supply, she shamelessly put her party’s wishes over her constituents’ needs and supported this deeply flawed proposal.  Even fellow Democrat Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) said “I wouldn't vote for it....  We are for the revenue sharing. We can work this out. The American people will blame all of us. ...they're going to blame Congress, because they want energy independence, we have to have it.”

It is now clearer than ever, that Carol Shea-Porter and the Democrat-led Congress never had any intention of enacting real energy policies, because Shea-Porter voted for a bill that according to Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), “most certainly won't see the light of day in the Senate”:

“Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., on Friday urged House members to oppose a House Democratic leadership bill because it does not include revenue-sharing provisions for states that accept drilling off their coasts.” (The Times-Picayune, 9/13/08). 

Carol Shea-Porter forfeited any argument that this bill wasn’t derived solely for a political purpose when it was revealed that Democrats snuck in a two billion dollar earmark for ethically-embattled New York Rep. Charlie Rangel, yet refused to include revenue-sharing for states that would allow drilling off their shores.

“Carol Shea-Porter's vote to cut off access to offshore drilling will have a negative impact on our nation’s energy needs for decades to come,” said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain.  “Now, it is New Hampshire families that are stuck with the consequences of Carol Shea-Porter's failure to deliver relief from America’s energy crisis.”

Shea-Porter spent months blocking real, comprehensive energy solutions, and came under heavy criticism in her district this summer for doing nothing to address the energy crisis.  But, only now, as Shea-Porter is facing political fallout heading toward Election Day, did she and her Democrat leaders decide to introduce a sham “energy” bill.  Carol Shea-Porter should be ashamed of herself for playing political games with our nation’s energy security.