House Votes To Overturn Offshore Drilling Ban, Increase Renewables Support

After a day-long debate over energy legislation, the House passed the Democrats' "Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act," a bill that both opens up new areas of the country to oil extraction and increases support for renewables.

"The energy bill puts us onto that path of independence by having a comprehensive legislation which is the result of a bipartisan compromise in favor of sweeping innovation solutions for America's energy future," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a press conference on Tuesday. "It is imperative that we are energy independent, so we can enhance the prospect for a great future of renewables and creating good-paying jobs."

The bill passed by a vote of 236-189, with 15 Republicans voting in favor and 13 Democrats voting against. The GOP crossovers were: Vern Buchanan (Fla.), Michael Castle (Del.), Wayne Gilchrest (Md.), Robin Hayes (N.C.), Bob Inglis (S.C.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Joe Knollenberg (Mich.), Ray LaHood (Ill.), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.), Jon Porter (Nev.), Jim Ramstad (Minn.), David Reichert (Wa.), Christopher Shays (Conn). and Christopher Smith (N.J.). The Democratic crossovers were: John Barrow (Ga.), Lois Capps (Calif.), Donald Cazayoux (La.), Sam Farr (Calif.), Bob Filner (Calif.), Rush Holt (N.J.), Jim Marshall (Ga.), Frank Pallone (N.J.), Donald Payne (N.J.), Steven Rothman (N.J.), Gene Taylor (Miss.), Mike Thompson (Calif.), Lynn Woolsey (Calif.).

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