McCain adviser to attend House GOP energy meeting

A top adviser to John McCain’s presidential campaign will attend a morning meeting of House Republicans pressing for a vote on offshore drilling.

McCain senior policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin will attend the 10:30 a.m. briefing, according to a memo sent to House GOP members Tuesday.

{mosads}Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) has not attended the protest, but has expressed support for House members who have made the trip back to Washington. This is the first time one of his top advisers has attended a daily strategy session on the floor protests.

Since the speeches began, over 112 members of the House Republican Conference have returned to give floor speeches to staff and tourists gathered in the gallery. The effort is intended to pressure Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) into bringing Congress back into session to address the energy crisis.

Over the weekend, Pelosi signaled some flexibility and said a vote on offshore drilling could be held if certain conditions were met.

House GOP leaders have indicated that Republicans will continue to occupy the floor through the Democratic and Republican conventions. GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio) will also take part in Wednesday's actions.

Eight House GOPers are scheduled to speak on Wednesday.

“Like previous days, the plan is to speak to the American people gathered in the galleries and on the floor about the need for Speaker Pelosi to bring the House back into session and schedule a vote on legislation to produce American energy to help lower gas and energy prices,” the memo said.