By Jenna Martin, Staff Writer
Columbia County News Times

U.S. Rep. Paul Broun spoke briefly about his most recent trip to Washington, D.C., before answering questions from those in attendance Tuesday during a meeting of the Greater Columbia County Republican Women at the Jones Creek Clubhouse.

Broun expressed his dedication to finding a solution for the country's energy crisis.

"It's critical," he said. "It's critical not only for the cost you pay at the pump, but when you go to the grocery store. The cost is going up. I'm sure you all have noticed that."

After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a vote to adjourn the House on Aug. 1, Broun said he and other Republican leaders remained on the House floor.

"Nancy Pelosi cut the lights out, turned the cameras off, turned the microphone off, and we continued to demand the ability to have a vote on the American Energy Plan," he said.

Broun said the bill would allow oil drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf and in Arctic National Wildlife Reserve in Alaska, and stimulate the marketplace for the development of alterative forms of energy, such as nuclear power.

"We've got to stop dependence upon Middle Eastern oil," he said. "There's no question about it."

After thanking the group of about 75 for their votes in the state's 10th Congressional District Republican primary on July 15, Broun answered questions.

He reinforced his view that a true scientific basis is needed for global warming.

"We cannot develop national policy based on things we are just guessing as a cause," the congressman said.

Broun also addressed the economy.

"Hopefully, we will see some movement towards getting the federal regulatory burden off business and industry, lowering your tax burden so that you have money in your pockets and small businesses have money in their pockets, because that's the thing that's going to stimulate the economy," he said.

When asked about border security, Broun said he was excited by the Project 28 program that allows U.S. borders to be monitored electronically.

Broun also introduced H.R. 6008, the "IMPROVES E-Verify Act of 2008," which he said reduces the chances of an employer hiring an illegal alien.

"We need to give employers the tools," he said.