LVRJ profiles debate over drilling in D.C., Nevada

The Las Vegas Review-Journal ran a profile Monday on the ongoing Republican "shadow session" in Congress, focusing on the involvement of a pair of Nevada legislators.

Congressional Republicans, including U.S. Reps. Jon Porter (R-Henderson) and Dean Heller (R-Carson City) are in Washington despite the August recess, and both spoke last week in protest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's refusal to take a vote on a bill to expand off-shore oil drilling.

The Review-Journal featured Porter's and Heller's remarks, and gauged the reaction back home on the two lawmakers' presence at a darkened Capitol.

An exerpt of the piece is below:

"Nevada Republicans Dean Heller and Jon Porter returned to Washington last week after party leaders sent out a memo urging, 'Let's keep the floor protest going!'

In his presentation, Heller charged that energy prices were hurting rural ranchers. Porter warned that 'the lights are starting to dim' in Las Vegas.

Democrats said the GOP's summer session was no more than an election-year sideshow.

'I want to work across the aisle, but Jon apparently believes that participating in a partisan stunt is enough to fix the problem,' said Porter's Democratic opponent, state Sen. Dina Titus. 'I don't think it will solve any problem.'"

DANIEL TRUDEAU can be reached via email at daniel.trudeau@politicker.com.

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Comments

Big Oil

posted by John 213

Why do these Congressmen always oppose any improvements in efficiency and support for solar and wind? Nevada deserves better. They are in the pockets of big oil.

John McCain Housing Policy Shaped By Lobbyist

08/11/08 5:37 pm

Poor Porter!

posted by VegasTeaRoom

He isn't out campaigning in the trenches in Nevada. But he is taking advantage of some primo tee times with Congress in recess.

08/11/08 7:05 pm

Missing the point

posted by Voter from a distance

How easily people miss the point of things. I can hardly fathom how the House Democrats can take ignore a call for an up or down vote, then adjourn and up and leave for vacation with the nation having the gas problems they have, and the best that the people reading this article can come up with is "Porter is getting primo tee times with Congress"? Really now guys, you don't see the flaw in House Democrats? At the very least concede the point that the Dems left our nation at a time when we needed them to pass comprehensive legislation.

And to you Jonh213, how easy it is for you to believe that the nation is in the pockets of big oil. I mean first off, its clearly a walk in the park for you to overlook the HUGE portions of revenue that the Federal Govt takes from oil companies. The left is so quick to demonize oil and oil companies and people like you love to fall for it, because it sounds so good to hear.

The dems are in a tight spot right now, although they are doing a good job of attempting to cover it up. However, people are catching on to the truth about the dems and it is owed to people like Congressman Jon Porter who instead of campaigning back home during his most contested election can instead be found doing what he believes is important to the security of our economy. He sat in a darkened, unbroadcasted room, and he kept the debate on offshore drilling alive.

I repeat, the american people are slowly realizing the truth about the democrats. Their need to keep gas prices high for multiple reasons, and to the detriment of people like you and me. They will not do any sensible move towards solving the problem, because that would contradict their very belief system and will cause voters to open their eyes even more to their fallacies.

Should be an exciting November.

08/12/08 10:27 am