Several Republican members of Congress are asking constituents to send in their gas receipts, which will be presented to the vacationing Democrat leadership.

Sen. Jim Inhofe asks Oklahomans:

Dear Friend,

I don’t need to tell you that gas prices are high, but there is someone I do need to tell…

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

…and I need your help to do it.

Please mail me your gas receipts and a short note about what your family has had to sacrifice because of out-of-control prices at the pump. I’ll bundle together all the receipts and stories I receive and send them to Senator Reid. Together, we will send a message to Washington and show Harry Reid that high gas prices are hurting Oklahomans.

Please mail your gas receipts by August 21 to:

Jim Inhofe

PO Box 13300

Oklahoma City, OK 73113

Harry Reid won’t even allow debate on a single solution I’ve proposed with my colleagues. And now Congress is on a five week recess! I don’t think he understands just how serious this is, but together we can show him.

In recent weeks, I have worked with other Congressional Republicans to bring down gas prices by expanding exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), opening ANWR, developing America’s oil shales, and expanding refining capacity.

Last month, I introduced the American Affordable Fuels Act of 2008 that includes these measures as well as the Drive America on Natural Gas Act, which would promote the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles.

And just last week, I teamed up with Representative Dan Boren to introduce the Marginal Well Production Preservation and Enhancement Act, which ensures the nation’s policies recognize and reflect the economic importance of marginal well production.

But none of these ideas are even being considered because the Democrat Senate leadership is standing in the way. Let’s send them a message by sending in our gas receipts.

So, please, mail your gas receipts by August 21 to me at:

Jim Inhofe

PO Box 13300

Oklahoma City, OK 73113

Rep. Bill Sali is doing the same in Idaho:

Congressman Bill Sali today urged Idahoans to send their fuel receipts to his offices so that he can forward them to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Sali said he wants to illustrate for Speaker Pelosi the hardship that high gas prices are having everyday in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.

Sali made the announcement at a Post Falls, Idaho, truck stop, where he emphasized the need to boost American energy exploration and production.

“The fact remains we need to get our hands on every drop of energy we can from every source possible. While conservation is important and alternative energy is necessary, there’s no such thing as a hybrid or electric semi. Every one of these trucks out here today will continue to need affordable diesel.

“We keep talking about $4 a gallon gas. Well, these truckers here are paying $5 a gallon for diesel, and that is impacting the cost of everything and killing the trucking industry.

“Recently, I asked Idahoans to write me and tell me how high gas prices are affecting them. I heard from literally thousands of Idahoans, nearly all urging Congress to lift the ban on American energy exploration and drilling. The comments were extremely poignant.

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A Post Falls trucking company owner named Robert wrote, ‘high fuel prices are breaking me and this whole industry. After being on the road away from my home for 5 to 6 weeks at a time and busting my butt trying to stay afloat, I really don’t have to worry about gas prices because I don’t have enough money left when I get home to buy gas for my car.’

“Jodi from Middleton wrote to tell me that it’s getting difficult to go anywhere, and being summer, she has to tell her kids that gas is too high to go to the park or the library. Jodi also told me that he’s paying $165 a week for groceries that used to cost $100 a week. Jodi said, ‘if gas goes any higher, we will lose our home.’

“Mariya from Boise wrote plainly, ‘the government is stifling the nation’s economy.’

“Well, Robert and Jodi and Mariya and all the others who have been writing my office asking Congress to do something are right. And yet Congress is not acting. Speaker Pelosi is refusing to take up legislation that increases American energy production. The legislation Congress has taken up so far is pure gimmickry, smoke and mirrors and political baloney.

“Maybe if Speaker Pelosi hears directly from Idahoans, and sees just how much it is costing the families and businesses of our state, she’ll be more inclined to act. So I’m asking Idahoans today to engage on this issue in a way they never have. Save those gas receipts. Send them to my office, and I’ll make sure Speaker Pelosi gets them,” said Sali.

Idahoans who want their gas receipts forwarded to Speaker Pelosi can send them to:

Boise Office

802 W Bannock, Ste 101

Boise, Idaho 83702

Caldwell Office

704 Blaine St, Ste 1

Caldwell, Idaho 83605

Coeur d’ Alene Office

610 W Hubbard, Ste 206

Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho 83814

Lewiston Office

313 D Street, Ste 104

Lewiston, Idaho 83501

Show them your receipts. Keep the heat on the do-nothing Dems.