N.Y. Democratic candidate calls for special session

A top Democratic House candidate is calling for Congress to convene a special session to address the lingering energy problems that went unaddressed when the chamber adjourned earlier this month.

Gulf War veteran Eric Massa, who is making his second attempt at taking down Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.), stressed that he disagrees with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on the issue. Pelosi has resisted calls — which have come almost exclusively from Republicans — for a special session.

{mosads}“That is the main issue that I find myself in contention with Speaker Pelosi,” Massa said on a conference call. “I disagree with the Speaker.”

Massa called on his opponent to urge President Bush to order both chambers of Congress back to work. He said that simply having the House come back would not be sufficient for meaningful action.

Bush has also declined to call Congress back.

Massa described his own announcement as “an extraordinary call to action” and sought to tie Kuhl to the president by suggesting the incumbent’s close voting record with the president should entitle him to some influence.

“I realize that I’m probably out there on my own on this one, but sometimes leadership is about seeing a way forward that no one else will see,” Massa said.

While Massa’s move allows him to establish his independence from Democratic leadership in a swing district, it also risks providing Republicans with political fodder for their continuing protest of the adjournment.

Republicans have promised to protest on the House floor through the beginning of the Democratic National Convention.

Kuhl defeated Massa by about 6,000 votes in 2006 and is a top target for House Democrats this year.

A spokesman for Kuhl said the congressman is on the House floor Monday participating in that protest and that Massa should focus on Pelosi, not Bush.

“I'd remind Mr. Massa that only Speaker Nancy Pelosi can set the agenda for the U.S. House of Representatives, and Speaker Pelosi has made it clear she won’t allow a vote on a comprehensive energy plan that includes drilling," spokesman Justin Stokes said.