Republicans Vote to Lift President’s Offshore Energy Ban, Make Paying for College Easier, & More

Republicans Vote to Lift President’s Offshore Energy Ban, Make Paying for College Easier, & More JUNE 30, 2013 | VIEW ONLINE In this week’s Speaker Alert, we’re highlighting new legislation that will help create jobs by stopping the president’s “war” on offshore energy; Senate Democrats left Washington without passing legislation to prevent a spike in student loan interest rates; the investigation into the Benghazi terrorist attack continues; and more. STOPPING THE PRESIDENT’S “WAR” ON AMERICAN ENERGY 85% of offshore energy is currently off-limits: The president’s offshore energy ban has already forced American companies to lay off workers and send jobs overseas.  [LIKE our graphic on Facebook] House passes legislation to lift Obama offshore energy ban: Speaker Boehner said an all-of-the-above energy strategy is “one of the cornerstones of our Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs.” Learn more about these bills here. Obama admin “war” goes beyond offshore energy: President Obama wants to impose a national energy tax that would destroy jobs and raise prices. His administration has blocked the Keystone XL pipeline for several years. Oil and natural gas production on federal land has plummeted. And it takes 30 percent longer to get a federal permit under this administration. White House also says “war on coal is exactly what’s needed”: The president’s climate advisor also declared “war” on coal, even though it is responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs and provides affordable electricity to millions – and the president once posed as a “friend of the coal industry.” [LIKE our graphic on Facebook] Energy is “our new economic frontier”: Speaker Boehner recently noted that we have “more combined oil, coal, and natural gas resources than any other nation on Earth. We’re sitting on the gateway to prosperity.” DEMOCRATS LEFT WASHINGTON, LET STUDENT LOAN RATES DOUBLE Senate Democrats left town, let student loan rates double: Interest rates on student loans will double tomorrow because Senate Democratic leaders rejected a bipartisan proposal and left Washington without passing anything at all. Speaker Boehner called it “stunning,” and said this is “why we have to take politics out of student loans and put in place a permanent solution.” Republicans passed long-term solution in May: The Smarter Solutions for Students Act mirrors the president’s plan by stopping an immediate interest rate hike and tying rates to the market. Independent studies show this approach is a good deal for students, families, and taxpayers. Here’s how. Democrats thought student loan fight would be political windfall; thought wrong: Democrats were more interested in scoring political points than solving a problem for students and families. The Democrat-controlled Senate didn’t pass anything; the president didn’t urge them to; and the people getting hurt are the students who will be paying a lot more. MORE FROM THE SPEAKER’S BLOG Republicans advance Benghazi investigation: House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) issued four subpoenas to State Department officials last week. Real border security needed for immigration reform: “The House is not going to take up and vote on whatever the Senate passes,” said Speaker Boehner. The House will work on its own legislation, and any “immigration reform has to be grounded in real border security.” WATCH: President Obama’s policies are hurting economic growth & jobs: “That’s why,” Speaker Boehner said, “Republicans are continuing to listen to the American people, and offering a real jobs plan for American families and small businesses.”

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