House Republicans To Renew Energy Protest Friday

House Republicans will renew their energy protest on Friday morning after the House recessed for the week Thursday afternoon without taking up an energy bill, GOP Republican leadership aides confirmed.

The House recessed Thursday afternoon to allow members from Texas to return home to prepare for Hurricane Ike, which is gathering strength in the Gulf Coast.

However, GOP leaders decided to renew their floor protest calling for a vote on their energy bill, which includes a greater expansion of domestic oil drilling.

On Thursday evening, House Republican Leader John Boehner and House Minority Whip Roy Blunt sent Speaker Nancy Pelosi a letter outlining their concerns.

"Very few days remain in this session, and it is critical that we use every remaining hour to work toward passage of legislation that gives Americans the “all of the above” energy solutions they have been asking the Democratic Congress to pass," they stated in the letter.

Pelosi has said that Republicans will be allowed to offer their energy plan when the House takes up the issue early next week.

Republicans led a six-week protest throughout the August recess demanding Democrats come back to Washington and vote on their proposal.

The protest is expected to take place on Friday and Monday, but not over the weekend.

Boehner is expected to hold a press conference Friday morning to discuss the protest.

UPDATE: House Democrats respond:

"With a hurricane bearing down on the Texas coast and on the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this is hardly the time for partisan game playing," said Stacey Bernards, a spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. 

"Democrats will bring forward a comprehensive energy bill next week that expands responsible domestic drilling while making one of the largest investments ever in renewable energy next week, and the American people are watching to see if Republicans will join us in supporting it or continue playing games."