Capito Says Energy Challenges Don't Warrant Month-Long Congressional Recess

Press Release

Capito Says Energy Challenges Don't Warrant Month-Long Congressional Recess

Congresswoman Expresses Frustration With Congressional Unwillingness to Vote or Debate Comprehensive Energy Legislation

As Congress breaks for a month-long recess today, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) made clear her frustration that Congress has yet to debate or vote on any comprehensive energy legislation.

"With high energy costs placing such a heavy burden on the lives of West Virginians, it is incredibly frustrating that this Congress has been unwilling to even have open debate on a comprehensive solution," said Capito.

"There is no silver bullet to this problem. It will require a broad-based approach that taps a range of energy resources and promotes new technology. Yet, Leadership will not allow any such legislative proposal to come before this House."

In response to inaction from Congressional Leadership, Capito joined with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to introduce the member-driven National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act.

The legislation is co-sponsored by forty seven members of Congress, including 24 Democrats and 23 Republicans. By lifting the Congressional moratorium on offshore energy exploration, the legislation seeks to invest royalties generated from oil and natural gas leases to fund and support alternative energy technology.

"This legislation is a balanced approach to a national problem and it deserves serious consideration before this Congress," said Capito. "Any real solution must have support from Republicans and Democrats and this bill reflects that need."

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