Washington, D.C. – Remarks on the Senate floor this morning by several Democrat senators underscore the strong bipartisan support for energy legislation, Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici said. He urged Senate Democrats to stop talking about passing energy legislation and simply pass the energy bill. Chairman Domenici’s statement: “Democrat after Democrat has gone to the floor in recent days decrying high energy prices and urging the Administration to do something. Several came to the floor today. I say what I have said for months: It is the responsibility of Congress, not the Administration, to pass comprehensive energy legislation. Congress has been trying to do that for more than three years. Some of the same Democrats who talk about the need for action are the very Democrats who last week voted against the energy bill. “I say to them, it is time to stop politicking energy and pass this bill. Crude oil has hit $40 a barrel. Natural gas prices remained high through the spring season, when prices typically drop. Wholesale coal prices are up more than 30 percent this year. These soaring prices fuel inflation and slow our economy. “Democrats know this. Apparently, they hope that if they make eloquent floor speeches about the need for a solution, the American public won’t notice that some of these same senators are voting against the bill. “Sen. Wyden has submitted a resolution to the Senate calling for Congress to “consider lifting unnecessary regulations that interfere with the ability of the United States’ domestic oil, gas, coal, hydro-electric, biomass and other alternative energy industries to supply a great percentage of energy needs of the United States” – that is an excellent description of the Energy Bill pending before this Senate – a bill Sen. Wyden voted against. “Let’s stop making speeches, offering resolutions and passing blame. Let’s come together and PASS THIS BILL.”