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

The cloture motion failed 50-43.

GOP leaders want to keep the bill (S 3268) on the floor 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,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “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’.”

The Senate’s next significant order of business will be a final vote on a major housing bill (HR 3221).

Following that vote, Republicans probably will try to block efforts by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to proceed to a bill (S 3186) 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.

Both sides say the tactic essentially amounts to a filibuster.

Reid slammed Republicans for the strategy – but did not indicate what he might do to counter GOP efforts.

“This is a big stall,” Reid 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 more offshore drilling, as voters chafe at high gas prices. They hope the growing pressure will force some Democrats to back their efforts to force a vote.

“Democrats are already shifting,” said Don Stewart, a spokesman for McConnell. “ We’ve come a long way in just a month. We think we can get even further by keeping this bill alive.”

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

Republican leaders have rejected Reid’s offer to allow one amendment from each party to the energy speculation bill, which has significant bipartisan support. They say they want to offer as many as 28 amendments – including one to expand offshore drilling. A deal could still be struck to consider more than two amendments but fewer than 28, according to a leadership aide.

Meanwhile, Boehner said Republicans will vote against adjourning for the planned recess unless Democratic leaders agree to bring up their energy proposal (HR 6566), House Republican leader John A. Boehner of Ohio said in a letter to colleagues.

Their threat is less potent than the Senate filibuster because adjournment resolutions only require a majority vote, but GOP leaders hope it will focus public attention on the issue.

“If the Democratic leadership fails to allow a vote next week on the American Energy Act, the vote on the adjournment resolution will become one of the most important votes we cast this year,” Boehner wrote. “If the Democratic majority refuses to allow a vote next week on the American Energy Act, a vote for the adjournment resolution will be a vote against the American people and a vote against American energy independence.”

First posted July 25, 2008 10:04 a.m.