Day 3--GOP Protest Continues in the House

With a least 30 GOP Congressmen in the U.S. House of Representatives committed to continuing the floor protest, Day 3 of the GOP-led revolt over the Democrats' vote to go on vacation rather than pass an energy plan that allows offshore oil drilling will continue today.

The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), told George Stephanopoulos at ABC News on Sunday that she will continue to block any vote on offshore oil drilling, refusing to allow a simple up or down vote.

GOP leaders were incensed that Pelosi and the Democrats decided to go on a 5-week vacation rather than deal with the offshore oil drilling issue--an issue that finds heavy support from the American people.

The floor protest began on Friday of last week after Pelosi adjourned the House for vacation at 11 AM.

At contention is Pelosi's refusal to allow an up or down vote on offshore oil drilling, a move that observers say is designed to avoid the embarrassment of having massive defections from the Democratic ranks as Representatives join the GOP in voting to lift the ban.

Polls show that 70% of Americans agree with the GOP that the ban should be lifted, allowing oil companies to drill in the oil-rich regions off the U.S. coast.