Wittman calls for a special session on energy in August. Really

Update: Turns out Rob Wittman was not playing the Lone Ranger on energy. A short while ago, a press release arrived from Rep. Thelma Drake of Norfolk, also calling for a special session on energy, as did one from House Republican Leader John Boehner, which carried the headline: "Boehner, GOP Leaders Demand Pelosi Call Emergency House Session to Vote on Lower Gasoline Prices."

Boehner's office also contacted me individually, accusing me of taking a "cheap shot" at Rep. Wittman. So for the record, here at Shad Plank, we try to take the Will Rogers approach -- we'll needle anyone. And we've never met a man (or woman) we didn't like.

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U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman shot out a press release a few minutes ago calling for a special session of Congress to deal with energy matters, to be held during the five-week August recess.

"According to our adjournment resolution," Wittman said, "the Speaker can reconvene if 'the public interest shall warrant it.'  I can’t think of any more important issue to the public today than relief from out of control energy prices.  Why not call us back for a special Energy Session so that Congress can devote its undivided attention to energy?  I'm sure members from both sides of the aisle would appreciate the opportunity to debate and vote on a meaningful, comprehensive energy policy.,"

You have to admire his chutzpah, but really ....

1. How much sway do you think a first-term -- in fact, a first partial term -- Republican lawmaker is going to have with the Democratic Speaker of the House?

2. For that matter, how much sway do you think a first partial term lawmaker would have with the leadership of his own party?

3. Does he really think there is the possibility of a "meaningful, comprehensive" energy debate two to three months before a presidential election?

4. Does he understand that, while he might be a shoo-in, many other lawmakers of both parties have to spend at least a little time between now and November convincing the folks back home to keep them employed?

Or, 5.,  did happy hour arrive a little early in the Wittman office?

Comments

[Cominius]

"4. Does he understand that, while he might be a shoo-in, many other lawmakers of both parties have to spend at least a little time between now and November convincing the folks back home to keep them employed?"

With more than 70% of the public supporting off shore drilling, I suspect quite a few of the first term Blue Dog democrats will need to demonstrate some positive action on energy if they are to convince the folks back in their home they should be rehired this November. Perhaps Ms. Pelosi cannot trust the outcome even though her party has a majority. As a result she prefers to avoid what may be an embarassing vote.

[Brian]

Boehner's office called you to whine? Jeez, that's lame. It's too bad the Repubs didn't elect someone like Mike Pence or Jeff Flake as ML.

[Jared]

Funny to hear this coming from the same Virginia party that brought us...

“‘The governor has the prerogative to call us back into special session and waste the taxpayers’ money if he so has the desire,’ said House Republican Leader Morgan Griffith of Salem. Asked if the proposal would ever reach the House floor, Griffith said, ‘I see it on the floor, but not the floor of the House.’” http://wap.dailypress.mlogic3g.com/news.jsp?key=147383&full=1&rc=lo

[Steve]

Rob Wittman is a voice in a very loud chorus:

Boehner, GOP Leaders Demand Speaker Pelosi Call Emergency House Session to Vote on Lower Gasoline Prices: http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=99293