As Democrats call for tapping the nation's emergency oil supply to ease rising gas prices, Republicans pushed Thursday for a raft of new proposals aimed at boosting domestic energy production. House Speaker John Boehner joined with other Republicans to promise a string of "bite-sized" energy bills, which are expected to deal with drilling, building pipelines and facilitating the development of nuclear power.
"As gas prices go up, the cost of everyday life goes up," Boehner said Thursday, warning that the increase harms the very businesses the country is depending on for a robust economic recovery.
Republicans titled their new push for domestic energy production the "American energy initiative," and vowed to introduce legislation in the coming weeks.
Boehner said the proposals would be divided into "chunks," noting that the days of comprehensive legislation should be over -- an apparent dig at the health care overhaul.
The speaker suggested one bill could deal with expanding the use of natural gas; another could encourage oil and gas exploration while devoting royalties to "green energy development;" and another could promote nuclear energy.
Fuck green energy development dipshits. Work on what works NOW rather than a pie in the sky dream that hasn't proven to work for shit and let the private sector come up with a solution.