Blue Dog Democrats take popular, moderate-to-conservative positions in their districts, but back in Washington they play games and often side with the liberal Democratic leadership. Once in a while, some of them vote with the Republicans. But somehow enough of them stick with their party and the Democrats win. The domestic drilling issue is a good example. Lots of them say they support the concept, but because their leadership blocks legislative action, the Blue Dogs bark, but don't vote.
There is a way under the House rules, however, to force a vote. It's called a "discharge petition" and requires 218 signatures. Getting to that number of signatures would forces a vote on The American Energy Act, Republican-backed legislation bottled up in committee by Speaker Pelosi. Yesterday House Republican leader John Boehner challenged the Democrats to put up or shut up when comes to easing pain at the pump. He urged those who say they support more drilling to sign the Republican-sponsored discharge petition. Boehner said this yesterday:
My message to Democratic lawmakers is this: if you're really for increased American energy production, then prove it by putting it in writing. Sign the discharge petitions House Republicans are circulating that will force votes on energy legislation Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring to the floor.
To date, no Democrats have broken with their party leadership and signed the discharge petition. Unfortunately, most voters don't understand the intricacies of legislative procedure. But they do understand hypocrisy. And voicing support for a bill, but not signing a discharge petition is playing word games and practicing duplicity.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich is someone who knows a lot about discharge petitions and Democrats playing word games. He joins House Republicans today as their protest about the "drill nothing Congress" adjourning without a vote on the American Energy Act continues into a fourth day. House members will kick off the day with a 10 a.m. press conference with the former speaker.
