Millions of Americans are having to work longer and harder just to pay their gas bills in great part because congressional Democrats won’t allow oil drilling in most of the Outer Continental Shelf or any of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Several weeks ago, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi adjourned the House for a long August recess while claiming that producing more domestic oil and natural gas is a “hoax” that won’t lower gas prices. A rowdy band of House Republicans has protested every day since, reminding Americans that Congress should be on the job, not on vacation. Now along comes Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the second-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, with another brilliant suggestion — have the government work even less than it already does.