The United States is in the midst of an energy crisis - one of the worst since the 1970s - and the American people have spoken loud and clear that Congress should address the issue. Unfortunately the members adjourned for the summer without passing any legislation that could seriously address those concerns.

This is really sad, but it is politics as usual in Washington, D.C.

There is speculation that the Democratic leadership doesn’t want a broad energy bill prior to the election in order not to embarrass presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

Obama has been cool to the idea of both nuclear energy and offshore drilling, both of which have a role to play in any comprehensive energy plan. In recent days Obama has signaled he has modified his position on drilling slightly.

If Obama is truly sincere in being more open to the nation of offshore drilling he should add his voice to those who urge Congress to go back into session and address this and other solutions to our energy problems.

This lack of action is an outrage. These are people we elected to run our country and deal with problems, yet they adjourned rather than make Obama look bad.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had introduced the Gas Reduction Act of 2008, which would lift congressional moratoriums on offshore drilling and oil shale development while addressing conservation by providing increased research and development for advanced batteries for plug-in electric ideas and trucks.

In order to get bipartisan support for his bill, he omitted drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the nuclear energy, even though he supports both.

Playing election year politics with the pocketbooks of American citizens is disgraceful and they should be ashamed of themselves.

This is why we urge President Bush to call Congress back into session to give Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev,. and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., another opportunity to do the right thing.

In an editorial board meeting Tuesday at the Daily News, Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., who voted against the recess, said Congress should have stayed in session until some type of energy bill was passed.

Bunning also noted that there were 12 appropriations bills before Congress, but Democrats refused to even debate them before recessing.

Bunning also has introduced a bill that would turn coal into fuel, which has merit. He supports wind energy; believes T. Boone Pickens has some good ideas; and is for nuclear energy 100 percent.

At least Sens. McConnell and Bunning are bringing some energy ideas worth consideration to the table and are prepared to discuss them, which can’t be said for the other side of the aisle.

The American people deserve better.

Shame on the Democratic leadership for adjourning without dealing with a problem that will only get worse the longer it is not addressed.