As Congress leaves Washington for a five-week recess, free-market conservatives on Capitol Hill are starting to really bang the drum on American Energy Freedom Day -- Oct. 1, 2008.

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas are leading the charge, announcing the kickoff of a joint House/Senate effort to protect that day and oppose efforts to sneak an extension of the drilling ban in any last-minute legislation.

Sen. DeMint has also produced a great online video that lays out the situation -- check it out below and pass it along to all your friends. Then tell them to contact their elected officials and urge them to protect American Energy Freedom Day.