On August 1st, Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) not only betrayed their conservative base by proudly joining the “Gang of 10’s” economically irrational energy bill, they also exposed themselves as hypocrites on the energy issue.

In addition to joining the Gang of 10, Senators Chambliss and Graham signed the letter circulated by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) to protect American Energy Freedom Day (October 1st), promising to make every effort to lift the federal ban on offshore oil drilling. However, the Gang of 10’s bill only allows four East Coast states to opt-out of the federal moratorium. Additionally, on Senator Chambliss’ website, he states that come October 1st, “Congress must pass a ‘Continuing Resolution,’ which extends the current spending bills that contain the moratorium.”

Senators Chambliss and Graham have undermined the gains by the Republican Party on the energy issue, preventing conservative legislation that would truly help the American people by increasing the domestic supply of gas and oil.

They have tried to fool their fellow members of Congress and their constituents into thinking they support lifting the federal ban on offshore oil drilling. Instead, Senators Chambliss and Graham signed on to a bill that prevents drilling in the most resource-rich coastal waters and allows room for a tax increase on the American people at a time when they are already paying so much at the pump.

Republican energy compromise? No thanks, I’m full (and apparently so are both of you).