Congress to Return, Debate Energy Price Legislation
Congress is currently in the midst of a five week recess, with both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives scheduled to return on Monday, September 8, for an additional three to four weeks before the fall elections.

When the Congress recessed on August 1, most legislation under consideration, including appropriations bills and several pieces of legislation affecting energy policy and pricing were postponed. Although Congress will return to continue to work on many of these items, it is uncertain whether it will be able to successfully enact any of the outstanding measures before next year.

One certainty is that the debates will be highly charged with political rhetoric, as each party vies for public attention and support on November 4.

Congress' top priority for the remainder of the year will be to enact a legislative package that addresses the high price of energy. Attempts prior to recess to enact a bill that would ease gas prices by curtailing speculation in oil markets and allowing for new domestic drilling were defeated earlier this summer, but both the Senate and House are expected to continue to push for an energy package upon their return in September because the moratorium on off-shore drilling will end Sept. 30 unless Congress passes new legislation.

While it might appear republicans have the upper hand, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D, Nevada) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, California) almost certainly will continue their push for repeal of tax breaks and additional tax credits for renewable energy in return for any concessions on the issue of off-shore drilling and exploration in ANWR, key pieces of many environmental groups' energy policies.

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