[John K. Matyi]  I know you have heard me say this before; ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL! If you are reading this and do not live in Alabama, then you need to find out who your Senator is, who are your representatives in the house. Call them, write them, tell them you support doing it ALL. Drill now, nuclear power for electricity, clean coal, everything. Don't fall for the tired old line about how it will take too long for any of this to matter. If we as Americans do not keep the pressure up on this the do nothing Democratic congress will just keep stopping a vote. Winter will soon be here and if you think families are suffering now with the price of gasoline, wait until it gets cold.

If your elected officials are doing right, call and thank them, if they are doing wrong, let them know you will be voting. I called Rep. Bachus this morning and spoke with his people and they are excited that so many people are talking about this. As Congressman Bachus is quoted below [emphasis is mine]:

     "Bachus said he was hopeful that the pressure being generated by the recess floor speeches and concerned constituents would lead to energy legislation being brought up for a vote when the full House returns in September."

I am really sure that Nancy Pelosi would be glad to hear from you. If you are told she only accepts calls from people in her district let me [ Add Comment] know. Last I heard she was the 'Speaker of the House' and that makes her responsible to all of us. Here is her phone number: 202-225-4965 (DC)

8/25/08
CONGRESSMAN BACHUS CALLS FOR RELIEF FROM HIGH GAS PRICES DURING HOUSE FLOOR TALK

WASHINGTON – Returning to Washington to address high gas prices, Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) today told a large audience on the House floor that America has the power and resources to solve its energy challenges.

        In an effort to persuade the congressional leadership to bring a comprehensive energy bill to a vote, Bachus delivered a recess speech witnessed by several hundred visitors and tourists in the historic chamber.  He also spoke at a news conference held in Statuary Hall off the floor

        “My constituents have told me that the time for action is now, and I wanted to bring their message straight to Washington.  In my town hall meetings, there has been no bigger issue than high gas prices.  The average family is paying $2000 more in energy costs this year and people are really hurting. The good news is that we can solve our energy problems with a balanced approach using American energy, conservation, and technology.  While increased exploration and drilling is one part of the answer, the long-term solution is energy diversity through abundant resources like nuclear, coal, wind and solar power.  It doesn't’t make sense to send our hard-earned money to foreign countries when we can produce the energy we need right here at home.  We need to do it all and do it now,” Congressman Bachus stated.

        Regarding nuclear power, Congressman Bachus said the construction of a new plant in Alabama would generate 6,000 construction jobs, nearly 900 permanent jobs, $300 million in tax revenue for Alabama, and lower energy bills for consumers.

         Bachus said he was hopeful that the pressure being generated by the recess floor speeches and concerned constituents would lead to energy legislation being brought up for a vote when the full House returns in September.

8/11/08
CONGRESSMAN BACHUS DISCUSSES ENERGY SOLUTIONS DURING SIXTH DISTRICT TOUR

WASHINGTON – Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) summarized his week-long district tour by saying that his constituents in Alabama have a clear message for Washington: pass a comprehensive energy bill to help bring down high gasoline prices and achieve American energy security.

        Bachus held public meetings throughout the Sixth District to talk about solutions to the high energy costs that are causing hardship for families, local governments that provide essential services, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and manufacturers.  The intense public interest was demonstrated by large attendance at the events, including the biggest ever turnout for a Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon; a packed town hall meeting in Helena; and a Bibb County luncheon that attracted more than 100 people.

        Congressman Bachus said, “During my years in Congress, I have never had more people talk to me about an issue more than high gas prices.  Some of my constituents are choosing between filling their gas tank and putting food on the table.  They are also concerned about our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.  The good news is that we can solve this problem with a balanced approach that involves more domestic production, conservation, and advanced technology.  While expanded drilling offshore and in Alaska are needed over the short term to increase oil and gas supplies, the long-term answer is energy diversity including nuclear, coal, solar, and wind power.  Nuclear power is the key.  It is clean, efficient, cheap, and homegrown.  From an economic perspective, the construction of one nuclear power plant in Alabama would generate 6,000 construction jobs, nearly 900 permanent jobs, $300 million in tax revenue for Alabama, and lower energy bills for consumers.  To sum up, when it comes to energy, we need to do it all and do it now.”

        Bachus urged both parties to work to bring an energy bill to the House floor for a vote.

        Bachus discussed solutions to America’s energy problems during a series of public meetings and media interviews that included: an appearance on Fox 6-Birmingham’s “Good Day Alabama;” an interview at the Birmingham Business Journal; a Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon; an interview at the Clanton Advertiser; a town hall meeting in Helena; a luncheon address to federal judges from the Northern District of Alabama; a news interview at WZZK-FM, Birmingham; a Gardendale Chamber/Rotary Luncheon; a town hall meeting in Pell City; a Jefferson/Shelby County elected officials breakfast; and a Bibb County Luncheon.

7/24/08
CONGRESSMAN BACHUS DEMANDS VOTE ON BILL TO BRING DOWN GAS PRICES

WASHINGTON – Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) is demanding a vote on legislation to help bring down high gas prices.

During a hearing on oil prices in the House Financial Services Committee today, Bachus stated, "In Bibb County in my district the average per capita income is $16,217 or $312 a week before taxes. Some 58.8% of the workers have jobs outside the county and must drive to their jobs. A recent gas receipt from my district came out to $89 to fill up a tank. When you are spending $89 every few days just to get to work, that doesn’t leave much to take care of the other needs of your family."

Bachus requested the hearing in his role as Ranking Member on the Committee.

Bachus is calling on the House Democratic leadership to bring "The American Energy Act" to a vote before Congress adjourns for August. The legislation would reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by permitting greater exploration of domestic oil and natural gas reserves, expanding the use of nuclear, coal, wind, and solar power, promoting alternative and renewable energy technologies, and encouraging conservation.

Congressman Bachus said, "Drivers are going to be even hotter during this warm summer if we don’t do something about high gas prices. Gas at four dollars a gallon is causing hardship for not only families in Alabama but for businesses, schools, local governments, and charitable organizations. Everyone’s suffering. Constituents have sent gas receipts to me to show how desperate the situation is. The good news is that we in America have the power to begin to achieve energy independence with a balanced policy that increases oil supplies in the short-term and transitions over the long-term to nuclear, alternative energy, and futuristic technologies like hydrogen fuel. But we have to start now."

Bachus is an original cosponsor of "The American Energy Act," whose lead sponsor is House Minority Leader John Boehner. Bachus and many of his colleagues in the House are seeking an up-or-down vote on the legislation. The bill is being blocked from floor consideration by Speaker Pelosi and the majority leadership.