Boehner: Pelosi promotes book, prevents drilling vote

House Minority Leader John Boehner on Tuesday ripped Speaker Nancy Pelosi for promoting her new book while preventing a vote to expand domestic oil production.

The GOP leader said there are enough votes to pass the Republican energy bill but that Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) stand in the way of an energy solution.

{mosads}Boehner (R-Ohio), speaking to Fox News, said the trio wants “no part of allowing the Congress to work its will on a vote that would produce more American-made oil and gas.”

He especially criticized Pelosi, who has been promoting her new book.

“She’s got time to go out and promote her book tour and her new book, but she doesn’t have time to schedule a vote on the floor of the House and let the American people have their will expressed,” Boehner said.

The GOP lawmaker added that he does not think Congress should go into recess until after the energy issue has been addressed and urged voters to call their representatives and pressure them on allowing a vote.

“They’re trying to run out the clock,” Boehner said. “We’re only going to be there this week. We’re only there three weeks in September. And they’re hoping to get out of town before anybody notices.”

Pelosi’s office responded by pointing out that Republican leaders have repeatedly voted against Democratic efforts to address the country’s energy problems, including on measures promoting renewable energy and requiring oil companies to make use of leases they currently hold.

“On the day that BP announced record profits, the only thing Republicans have to offer is more public lands to Big Oil,” said Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami. “Republicans have to explain to their constituents why they oppose ‘use it or lose it,’ forcing the president to ‘Free our Oil’ from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring immediate relief to Americans or real investments in renewables. Democrats are offering real solutions to the Bush/Republican failed energy policies of the past eight years.”