By Alan K. Ota, CQ Staff

Apparently, Republicans plan to continue their non-stop energy talkathon on the dimly-lit House floor through the duration of the Olympics and both political conventions, right up to the scheduled return of Congress the week of Sept. 8.

That means that some GOP lawmakers could end up missing all those speeches at their party convention in Minnesota beginning on Labor Day and the official nomination of their presidential candidate John McCain of Arizona.

Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, a leader of the GOP effort aimed at forcing a special session to deal with energy legislation, says it won’t matter much that a few end up missing the coronation of McCain, since — unlike the Democrats — Republican members don’t attend as voting superdelegates.

Kevin Brady , R-Texas, likes the idea of continuing the protest calling for more domestic oil drilling.

“I think we ought to continue it every day this summer,” he said.

Tom Feeney of Florida also said the GOP effort could end up being especially meaningful as the Olympics unfold in Beijing

“China is demanding more oil. They are building new coal plants. They are opening nuclear power plants. . . . We’re going to have to be willing to compete with the Chinese, and fight for what’s good for America,” Feeney said.

Meanwhile, those few Democrats in the Capitol are lying low.

“I thought I was in a bad dream,” said Jim McGovern , D-Mass., who ventured onto the floor last Friday and found himself in the midst of a parade of GOP speakers. “There’s a lot of tourists on the floor. But I don’t think many of them are listening.”

Democrats argue GOP complaints about Democratic inaction on energy ignore floor votes on a dozen proposals aimed at alleviating high energy costs including a proposal to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Plans for a Democratic press conference were put on hold last week when when few members were available.

“Unlike Republicans, Democrats have a record on energy to talk about with their constituents,” said a Democratic leadershp aide.

“Republicans are clearly frustrated that the American public is not buying their Johnny-one-note energy policies of the past,” Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md., said in a written statement Monday.

While ruling out a special session, Pelosi has left open the question of how she will deal with the energy issue when lawmakers return to Washington the week of Sept. 8.