U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., yesterday welcomed House Democrats first action on a Republican energy initiative--even though it comes as a result of Democrats copying his bill requesting an intelligence analysis on the strategic implications of high oil and energy costs to America.

"They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but this goes beyond that," Hoekstra said. "While Democrats are taking Republican ideas, I encourage them to move Republican bills to increase America's domestic oil production and decrease our foreign energy dependence. The American people, Republicans in Congress and the president all agree on the importance of reducing high gas and energy costs; House Democrats are the only ones standing in the way."

During last week's debate on the annual intelligence authorization bill, Hoekstra introduced a motion requesting a National Intelligence Assessment on the strategic implications of high oil and energy prices for America. The motion, which would provide a high-level intelligence assessment on foreign adversaries and groups that benefit from high energy prices, stands in stark contrast to Democrats' request last year to divert limited national security resources for an intelligence assessment on the environment. Democrats voted against the motion. Hoekstra then introduced a bill, H.R. 6510, requesting the intelligence assessment that was the basis of his motion that afternoon.

"Unlike the Democrats' request to spy on the environment, the NIA on oil is intelligence the American people can actually use," Hoekstra said. "The reality is our dependence on foreign oil is financing some of the national security threats against our nation. The security of our nation requires us to focus on increasing domestic oil and energy production, conservation and developing alternative sources of power."

Hoekstra also responded to Democrats' claim that they supported his motion, noting that when asked to compromise on the floor, Democrats rejected his offer to consider Republican energy bills in exchange for changing the language of his motion.

"The Democrats made an offer that I was willing to accept if they would allow votes on Republican oil and energy bills that they have blocked," Hoekstra said. "They refused to compromise and instead are now trying to claim Republican efforts as their own."

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