[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11] [House] [Page 15016] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]PUT THE PLAN IN MOTION AND PASS ENERGY LEGISLATION (Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, American families have been bracing from an energy problem for the past few months which has turned into an energy crisis. I have heard constituents loud and clear about their concern that leaders in D.C. were not listening. I heard their voices, and my Republican colleagues and I continued to come to the floor and ask the Democrat majority for their energy plan. When our floor speeches were continuously met with silence in the absence of a Democrat energy plan, I too began to wonder if our leaders were listening. Thankfully, the problem was recognized and addressed by our executive branch of government. I applaud President Bush's decision yesterday to lift the Federal moratorium on offshore drilling. Congress needs to move swiftly to pass legislation to implement this now that the President has decided to lift the ban. Let's work quickly together and efficiently to craft and pass legislation that will work toward providing short-term and long-term solutions. It is up to us now, as Members of Congress, to do what is right for the citizens, to put the plan in motion, and pass energy legislation. ____________________