Sestak Says Democrats are to Blame for Inaction on Energy Issues

Press Release

RELEASE - Sestak Says Democrats Are to Blame for Inaction on Energy Issues

In CNN interview, Sestak says Democrats deserve blame, but offers no solutions and says action unlikely before election

Republican Congressional candidate Craig Williams said today that Joe Sestak is talking out of both sides of his mouth on energy issues, most recently in an interview with CNN. In the interview, Sestak said he and fellow Democrats deserve blame for not taking action because they have the ability to compromise, yet Sestak himself has voted with Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi 100 percent of the time to block the consideration of any compromise legislation by Congress.

CNN Correspondent Kate Bolduan spoke to Sestak at a local town hall meeting he held last week, where, based on the news segment, many people voiced their concerns about the lack of action by Congress on this issue:

Bolduan: "Off shore drilling, wind and nuclear power among the options voters brought up but no matter their stance, they all demanded answers.

"You do accept some responsibility being in the majority?

Sestak: "I do. Do I? Yes, absolutely. I put as much blame if not more on the Democratic party because we're the majority party. We're the ones that can sit down and potentially compromise."

But according to Sestak, that compromise is unlikely to occur this year when Congress returns from its five week summer recess. It seems that after all that paid vacation, there may not be enough time to work out the details of the issue:

Bolduan: "There are compromise bills in the House and Senate, but Congressman Sestak isn't sure they can actually get anything done with a few weeks left in the session once Congress returns." (Source: CNN, 8/25/08 - Watch at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJtHYmgHgNc)

"Joe Sestak now admits that Democrats in Congress are preventing us from new American energy," said Williams. "He seems to suggest that it is Democrat leadership who is to blame, as though he bears no responsibility for the failures of Congress. He has voted with Nancy Pelosi 100 percent of the time to block consideration of compromise energy legislation. In fact, Sestak has repeatedly voted over the last few months to prevent even a debate on the energy crisis. Meanwhile, he offers no solution whatsoever that would produce new American energy -- to include renewable energy."

"To make matters worse, Sestak now reveals the Democrat energy plan in the last months before the election -- do nothing," said Williams. "Sestak is now in the middle of a five-week vacation. When he returns to Congress, they will only have three weeks of session before they leave for vacation again. Perhaps we know now why Sestak voted to recess the Congress three weeks ago (Vote 566, 8/1/2008). He hopes to run out the clock on the energy debate before the election, thinking voters will not hold him accountable."

"Joe Sestak is not getting the job done for our community. Joe is acting like a giant stop sign, seeking to prevent our nation from moving forward on reducing our dependence on foreign oil and addressing the overall energy crisis. If he is not going to provide leadership on this issue and personally push for consideration of compromise legislation, then he should step out of the way and let someone who cares about our economic future get the job done."

Williams said Sestak has repeatedly voted to block consideration of legislation to address the energy crisis and reduce dependence on foreign oil, citing 10 votes over the past 4 months:

1. Sestak voted to block consideration of legislation to establish new refineries, allow energy exploration in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf, and provide incentives for alternative energies. (Vote 391, 06/10/2008)
2.
Sestak voted to block consideration of a bill that would extend many alternative energy and energy efficiency tax credits, and also block consideration of amendments that would permit oil exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf. (Vote 340, 05/21/2008)
3.
Sestak Voted to block consideration of amendments that would allow oil drilling in ANWR. (Vote 341, 05/21/2008)
4.
Sestak voted to block consideration of a bill that would extend many alternative energy and energy efficiency tax credits, and also block consideration of amendments that would allow oil drilling in ANWR. (Vote 310, 5/14/2008)
5.
Sestak voted to block an amendment that would allow consideration of proposals to lower the price of gas, and would also require Speaker Pelosi to introduce legislation to lower gas prices. (Vote 211, 4/23/2008)
6.
Sestak voted to block consideration of a bill that would repeal the ban on the federal government acquiring certain alternative fuels, including oil shale and liquefied coal. (Vote 451, 6/25/2008)
7.
Sestak voted against requiring research projects that could lower gasoline prices to be given special consideration for federal funding. (Vote 216, 4/23/2008)
8.
Sestak voted to block consideration of a bill to encourage coal-to-liquid fuel projects. (Vote 480, 07/10/2008)
9.
Sestak voted to block consideration of a bill that would open new oil refineries on closed military bases. (Vote 435, 6/20/2008)
10.
Sestak voted to block consideration of amendments that could lower the price of gas. (Vote 405, 06/12/2008)

"Joe Sestak just told a national television audience that he and fellow Democrats are to blame for Congress passing no energy plans, that he has no plan going forward, and that we should not expect a plan before the election. I am beginning to understand why he will not debate me on the energy crisis. He will not even debate it on the floor of Congress."

Craig Williams is running for Congress the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, comprising most of Delaware County and parts of Montgomery and Chester Counties. Williams is a former federal prosecutor, Marine combat veteran, and former active duty Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He lives in Concord Township, Delaware County, with his wife Jennifer, daughter and two step-children. The 7th District is his home - where he lives, where his kids go to school, where he pays taxes, where he attends church, and where he intends to spend the rest of his life.

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