Why Democrats Blocked an Energy 'Gimmick'

It's unusual for an editorial board to make a case against itself, but The Post did exactly that by criticizing the House of Representatives for not considering a scheme that, according to the July 25 editorial "No Drilling, No Vote; Speaker won't let the House debate the merits of offshore drilling," would have "minimal" effect on gas prices and produce "legitimate concerns" for the environment by allowing drilling off our nation's beaches.

House leaders think it would be more productive for Congress to debate proposals that the editorial failed to mention. Democrats have been pushing for an increase in renewable energy development, which Americans widely agree is the direction our country should take to break our dependence on foreign oil.

The editorial also failed to mention that Republicans are blocking the will of the people on that vital issue. Or that Republicans have voted down several measures that would compel oil companies to drill in the 68 million acres they have but are not using. Or that they even oppose as simple and as proven a measure as releasing oil from our nation's oil reserves and modernizing its system of storage.

Nor did The Post point out that it took a new Democratic majority to overcome repeated Republican refusals over the years to bring to the House floor a range of bills to help families make ends meet during difficult economic times. From an increase in the minimum wage to protections that enable workers to choose whether they want to join a union, Republicans routinely blocked Democrats' attempts to bring these important issues to the floor for a vote.

Congress should not waste time debating outdated, ineffectual ideas. It would do better to support solutions that provide genuine change and not just pursue the latest gas gimmick promoted by profit-rich oil companies.

EDWARD J. MARKEY

U.S. Representative (D-Mass.)

Washington

The writer is chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.