Republicans have surely earned their title as the party of No. They are against everything Democrats try to pass, even if they were for it only last week. Their hypocrisy and willingness to throw the American people under the bus is both unprecedented and despicable.

Senate Democrats announced this afternoon they will go home for a month-long recess without taking action on a scaled-back energy measure that was their best chance for any legislation addressing the issue before the midterm elections. A voted [sic] had been scheduled on the energy bill, which would create jobs and establish new thresholds for BP’s financial responsibility along the Gulf Coast.

With senators citing the hottest July on record, they bashed Republicans for not joining them on a bill they said would hold BP accountable for the oil spill and which would create incentives for green jobs.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared, “We are not giving up on energy,” but pointedly said something would be accomplished by the “end of the year,” not before the election. Republicans hopeful they could win back control of Congress this fall are cautioning Democrats against any major legislation during a lame-duck session.

“It’s clear that Republicans remain determined to stand in the way of everything,” Reid told reporters at a press conference. He said the votes are postponed until after senators return from recess Sept. 14.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who worked on a bipartisan bill for months, said Reid does not have the needed votes on this bill or any comprehensive energy measure because “not a single Republican” is on board… [emphasis added]