Republicans on Friday blocked efforts by Democratic leaders to end debate on an energy speculation bill, seeking to force the Senate to continue discussing energy policy all the way to the start of the August recess.

The motion to limit debate failed 50-43; 60 votes were needed.

GOP leaders want to keep the energy debate going through next week in order to press their demands for votes on a range of proposals to increase domestic oil and gas production, particularly in areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts that are now closed to drilling.

It is an issue that has stalled legislative action as lawmakers try to address record gasoline prices before facing outraged constituents over the upcoming August recess.

“The American people have been telling us for months that the house is on fire, and the Democrats just showed up at the scene with a squirt gun,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Ky., said of the bill to curb energy speculation. “They want us to tell the American people that the Senate’s time would be better spent on other things, that it’s time to move on. Well, Republicans have a three-word response for the Democrat Leadership: ‘No. We Won’t’.”

Republicans probably will try to block efforts by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to proceed to a bill that would allocate an extra $2.5 billion to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps low-income families pay home heating and cooling costs.

Reid slammed Republicans for their strategy. “This is a big stall,” he said. “Americans will see them holding up the vote on LIHEAP. I think that will be a tough vote for those Republicans.”

But Republicans said they think their strategy of hammering Democrats on offshore drilling is working. Polls show growing support for such drilling, as voters chafe at high gas prices.

Despite the standoff, both sides say there may still be a chance of salvaging a deal before the end of next week.