House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed through an adjournment of the House of Representatives for the summer over the objections of Republicans who wanted to stay until an Energy Bill was passed that would allow offshore drilling to help bring down high gas prices.

The scene was chaotic in the House chamber as Democrats hastily pushed through the adjournment, and then ordered C-Span cameras and mics turned off and the lights turned out! However, GOP House members refused to leave and instead set up on the House floor, continuing to speak as if the House was still in session. Rep. Tom Cox of Oklahoma had a great statement regarding the bizarre atmosphere with the lights turned out:

Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the dimly lit chamber is a “vision of the future by the Democrat Party: The lights are out, there’s no power, and the air conditioning is gonna go off soon.”

Rep. Mike Pence says Republicans "will be here through the break." So, an amazing scene is developing where Democrats are going home for a month break while many Republicans will remain in Washington D. C. meeting as if they are in session, speaking daily about the Democrats unwillingness to do anything about the soaring gas and energy prices! What a spectacle this could be!

Rep. David Davis of Tennessee said the following after the lights and cameras had been turned off:

“We need an American energy plan and we need it now. The American people are hurting, young families are hurting, senior adults are hurting, small businesses are hurting, Vern from Jefferson County, Tennessee is hurting.

“Vern is an Iraq War veteran. Vern has to drive from Jefferson County all the way into Knoxville. It is costing him over ninety dollars a week to drive to work. He makes eight dollars an hour and is trying to become an electrical apprentice. Vern told me he may have to go on welfare. Vern has a young family and is an Iraq War veteran. Vern wants to do what’s right by his family; he’s already done what’s right by America.

“This Congress needs to do what’s right for Vern and other young families in America, senior adults in America, small businesses in America.

“We don’t need anymore excuses; we need to vote on meaningful energy legislation. We need to do it now. We don’t need to go home, we need to take votes. I am willing to stay here today and vote.

“We voted this week. We had time to vote to go home, and we ought to have time to vote to bring down gas prices at the pump.

“The American people demand it. They demand it now.”

Rep. Pete Hoekstra's "Twitter" page is a place where we may can follow any continuing developments on the GOP "Drill Here, Drill Now" Revolt on the Hill.

Here is some video shot by GOP House members after the lights had been turned out. Two congressman talk about what is happening outside the House chamber in Part I. In Part II, several GOP Congressmen give a News Conference on the situation.

PART I

Blackout: Pelosi turns off the lights as GOP demands action on drilling for oil. John Carter 31st district of Texas and John Culberson of the 7th District of Texas, members of the Republican minority have taken the floor and have continued to debate after the house has adjourned. The Democratic leadership including Pelosi turned off the lights today and cut off cameras and mikes, so they can't vote on energy.

PART II