Zeldin Slams Energy Bill Passed This Week as a Hoax

PATCHOGUE, NY (09/18/2008)(readMedia)-- Lee Zeldin, the Republican and Conservative Party candidate for New York's First Congressional District today blasted his opponent's continued willingness to place left-wing ideology over the needs of his constituents.

Zeldin's opponent voted to support a Democrat-sponsored energy bill that is "too little, too late." The bill imposes a ban on drilling for nearly 90 percent of offshore American oil. The bill also imposes an adjacent state veto power. For example, New Jersey can prevent states like Virginia from producing new American energy. There is also an absence of state revenue sharing language. The bill maintains the ban on drilling in the oil rich Eastern Gulf as well.

"My opponent once again displayed his undying loyalty to Nancy Pelosi and the liberal wing of his party," said Zeldin, a Shirley resident running for the Eastern Long Island Congressional District. "And as is almost always the case, he continues to strengthen his position on the Obama-Bishop bandwagon that represents one of America's most liberal tickets."

The legislation, dubbed "Pelosi's 'No Energy' Bill," was passed over a more substantive bill that enjoyed the support of representatives from both sides of the aisle. Unfortunately, the American Energy Act never saw the light of day because Congress went on a five-week vacation before any action was taken.

"My opponent's knee-jerk reaction to everything is not productive.

Rather than propose solutions, he continually resorts to blaming others," said Zeldin. "The energy crisis is about people like you and me, dealing with inflated prices at the pump. To help us out, I'm for drilling in the coastal plains of Alaska and offshore so that we can rely less on countries with leaders who hate Americans. We also have the opportunity to boost the creation of more American jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign oil."

Drilling is opposed by numerous left-wing groups, including the Sierra Club, which has donated tens of thousands of dollars to Zeldin's opponent.

"Yet again, my opponent has proven a loyal rubber stamp for a liberal, misguided agenda," said Zeldin. "First, he casts the deciding vote that sends Congress on its five-week vacation, which halted the tremendous bipartisan surge we had behind the American Energy Act, and now he votes against drilling for our own American oil!"

Zeldin also supports cutting red tape to boost the creation of more refineries. He advocates for federal incentives for individuals and businesses transitioning to more efficient sources of energy. Zeldin supports increased research and development into alternative sources of energy, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear and more.

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Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress