By Colby Itkowitz, CQ Staff

Some House Republicans are willing to forgo the champagne and canapes at their party’s convention in Minnesota next week — if Speaker Nancy Pelosi would call them back to vote on their energy bill.

Each day of the August recess, a handful of Republicans have flown back to Washington, D.C., to occupy the House floor in protest about high gas prices and to discuss their energy proposals . And since the chances are nil of Pelosi calling Congress back earlier than Sept. 8 as scheduled, they will continue their lone campaign all next week.

Thaddeus McCotter , R-Mich., said he will not be attending the convention with his colleagues in St. Paul.

“We welcome and we challenge the Speaker to call us back during our convention for we will return to do the people’s business,” he said. “Let’s see if she will.”

But Pelosi’s office said not a chance.

“Republicans will have a chance to vote for a comprehensive energy package in September,” said Drew Hammill, Pelosi’s press secretary. “Then Americans, we’ll see if Republicans will join Democrats for new direction energy policies or are just full of hot air.”