This was a vote on a motion to recommit that would have eliminated all federal tax benefits provided to oil and gas companies. A motion to recommit with instructions is the minority's opportunity to torpedo or significantly change a bill before a final up-or-down vote on the measure. This motion to recommit was offered to legislation funding the federal government through March 18, 2011 and cutting $4 billion from government programs, including renewable energy research, aid to poorly performing schools, and urban economic development initiatives.

Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) urged support for this motion to recommit: “…I rise to offer this motion to recommit which I believe will greatly improve our fiscal health and ensure that we're responsible to all taxpayer dollars and the taxpayers of this great nation. We all agree--all of us, Republicans and Democrats alike--that cuts in wasteful spending are vital to our country's future….Let's stop sending taxpayers' money to the most profitable companies in the world. The time is now to stop subsidizing the largest oil companies. I think it shocks every American taxpayer to know that they're required to fork out over $40 billion in subsidies over the next decade to the most economically profitable of companies--especially as oil soars to a hundred dollars per barrel. My constituents in Plymouth, Massachusetts, are paying almost $3.50 per gallon and have had enough….So let's put a stop to this welfare program for Big Oil right now.”

Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) opposed the motion to recommit: “This misguided policy [proposed by the motion] can only lead to higher energy prices, continued reliance on foreign oil, and economic hardship that hampers job creation. At a time when gasoline is currently approaching $4 a gallon around the country and when our resources are being threatened by the instability in the Middle East, we should be encouraging domestic energy production--not cutting it down….”

The House rejected this motion to recommit by a vote of 176-249. Voting “yea” were 176 Democrats. All 236 Republicans present and 13 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House rejected a motion to recommit that would have eliminated all federal tax benefits provided to oil and gas companies.