Trying to capitalize on the energy issue, the National Republican Congressional Committee is out with a television advertisement hitting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and the Democratic leadership.

“High energy prices are creating financial hardships for America’s family’s, driving up the cost of energy we buy, forcing layoffs, costing jobs,” a narrator says in the 30-second spot. “Now more than ever we need new sources of American energy. But Democrats are flocking the boat to increase the supply of American oil. Instead, they voted for a five-week paid vacation. Tell Pelosi to end the paid vacation. It’s time for Democrats to work with Republicans on real energy solutions.”

The advertisement, produced by GOP ad man Scott Howell, is running nationwide on FOX broadcast stations. The committee purchased a relatively small buy of $22,000 to air the spot. Unlike the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the NRCC has yet to begin targeting individual districts with television advertisements.

“While Nancy Pelosi is off on her cross-country tour trying to get her book moved off the New York Times’ worst-seller list, voters are wondering why she and her fellow Democrats can’t be bothered to address the issue of out of control fuel costs,” said Ken Spain, a spokesman for the NRCC.