Democrats are using a unique strategy in the House when they bring up legislation on energy bills these days.  They have enough votes to win, but the way they are structuring the vote, they have been losing.

Why?  Basically, to avoid any chance that Republicans could force a vote on offshore drilling or other energy related issues.

Most of the time, you just need one more vote than the other side to win in the Congress.  In the House, more than 218 gives you control.

But sometimes, the House tries to expedite action on legislation, using a process known as "Suspension of the Rules."  Under that, you need a two-thirds vote to approve a bill.

On Wednesday, Democrats brought up another energy bill in the House, and once again, it failed.  The vote was 268-157 in favor, but that wasn't a two-thirds majority. 

So the bill lost, even though it could have won.

By using the "suspensions" route, no amendments are allowed.  No procedural votes are allowed that would give Republicans an opening to bring up offshore drilling.

This week it was a bill on releasing oil from US Strategic Reserves.  It "lost" 268-157.

Last week it was a bill that would have forced more drilling on federal lands currently leased to oil companies.  That bill "lost" 244-173.

On June 26, the House considered as a suspension a bill that required oil companies to drill on leased lands or lose that lease.  The measure had a majority, but again "lost" under the suspension rules in a 223-195 vote.

June 24, the House rejected - for the second time under suspension of the rules - a bill that would toughen penalties for oil and gasoline price gouging.  The vote was 276-146.

Four times, the Democrats brought up energy bills under special rules requiring a two-thirds vote, four times they "lost."

All the while, there was no opportunity for Republicans or Democrats to offer amendments to the bill on other energy related issues.

So what does it mean when lamwakers go home for their August break?

Democrats can honestly say that Republicans blocked efforts on a number of fronts to do something about high oil and gas prices.

Republicans can honestly say that Democrats blocked efforts on a number of fronts to do something about high oil and gas prices.

Same as it ever was.  Same as it ever was.  Same as it ever was.