WASHINGTON (AP)  Lawmakers sped for the exits Friday as Congress was to begin a five-week recess after a summer session noteworthy for bitter partisanship and paralysis on the issue topmost in the minds of many U.S voters: the cost of gasoline. As its last major act, the House of Representatives passed by a 409-4 vote its first spending bill, a $72.7 billion measure awarding generous increases to veterans programs and military base construction projects. More noteworthy however, was what Congress failed to do: pass energy legislation and other measures aimed at lowering the price of gasoline, which has reached record levels in the U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a bill aimed at curbing speculation in oil markets, while a similar bill and several others by House Democrats — including a plan to encourage drilling in already available coastal areas and in Alaska — failed to advance after party leaders brought them to the floor under procedures that required supermajorities to pass. That procedure blocked Republicans from forcing a vote on opening new areas to oil drilling. Republicans have been pressing to allow oil exploration in areas that are currently off limits, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They have been relentless in their assault on Democrats over the topic, even though opening the Outer Continental Shelf to new exploration would not put any oil on the market for a decade or more. Democratic leaders have been resolute in blocking new offshore exploration, even as oil state members and moderates in the party support the idea. It is clear that if a vote were allowed, new offshore drilling plans would be allowed. "Congress shouldn't leave its business unfinished while American wallets are drained at the pump," said Rep. Ander Crenshaw, a Republican. Democrats believe they can weather the criticism since voters are hardly sympathetic to the big oil companies pressing to lift the drilling restrictions. They perform better than Republicans in opinion polls on energy — despite the shift in opinions favoring offshore drilling — as well as on most other issues. The battle over energy has also largely shuttered the annual appropriations process, the 12 bills funding Cabinet agency budgets that are supposed to be passed by the Oct. 1 start of the 2009 budget year. The House and Senate chairmen of the Appropriations committees shut down panel deliberations to avoid votes on lifting the offshore moratorium, which has been in place for about two decades. The spending measure that passed Friday is just one of just a handful that even has a chance to become law before Congress adjourns for elections Nov. 4. It awards generous increases for veterans medical care and military base construction and base closures. It is easily the most bipartisan of the 12 annual appropriations bills since it funds politically sacred veterans accounts, despite exceeding President George W. Bush's already generous budget increase for veterans and military construction by $3.4 billion. The Senate held its last vote Thursday night, though noncontroversial business may be conducted Friday. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more