Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, participated in a National Energy Policy Discussion which was held today at Tulane University in New Orleans.

It was a four Republican and four Democrat discussion. It appeared from what I watched that the Democrats were a little short on substance. Gas prices have increased 74% since they took over congress in January 2007, so their record on this issue is very weak and polls are showing they are on the losing end of this debate.

A couple of highlights:

Rehberg called on Congress to stay in session through the August recess and through the General Election if needed until they pass comprehensive energy legislation.

I say, “Hear! Hear!”

We all know many of the Democrats in Washington want to slide into the August recess, attend barbecues, raise a little campaign coin, and take a few junkets at taxpayer expense, and then attend the Obama “Mile High” show in Denver.

Although everyone would like to see Congress actually do something about the high energy prices, I think Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) hit the nail squarely on the head with this statement found on Politico.com: “The only thing standing between the American people and the 88 billion barrels of oil on the Outer Continental Shelf,” Bachmann said, “is the Democratic Congress.”

Exactly.

For me, the best bill out there that addresses our energy problems is H.R.6566, the American Energy Act.

The bill increases domestic supplies in an environmentally responsible way, it improves conservation, it develops alternatives, and it invests in technology for future energy demand.

Time is wasting. Stay in Washington and debate this bill, and don’t leave until you have a solution. Most of us have no desire to see you at any public events in August, or September, or October…