Click here to watch "Vacation."

The quieter the halls of the Capitol get, the louder the howls are on the airwaves. This week, Congress embarked on a more than monthlong hiatus without acting on legislation aimed to curb high oil prices. Outraged by this, two conservative-leaning nonprofits -- Freedom's Watch and American Future Fund -- launched TV and radio ads across the country this week admonishing Congressional Democrats for going on "vacation" instead of addressing the energy crisis. On the other side of the aisle, MoveOn.org unveiled radio ads today to run in five states attacking House Republicans for their connections to oil companies.

On Wednesday, Freedom's Watch launched 10 radio ads and two TV ads in a total of 11 states targeting House Democrats from all angles: House incumbents seeking re-election, challengers to Republican incumbents, and candidates in open seats. In "Vacation" (subscription), aimed at Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., who is seeking her second term in the state's 2nd district, an announcer charges that "last week Nancy Boyda voted to send Congress on vacation, rather than work to bring down energy costs."

In "Caribou" (subscription), the group berates New York congressional candidate Eric Massa for opposing oil drilling in Alaska and a proposed gas tax holiday. "The caribou come before beleaguered New York drivers," an announcer scolds. "Those taxes you pay on your gas -- Massa doesn't want to cut them or even give you some relief."

"The liberals we're targeting refuse to change their position on expanding responsible domestic drilling despite the fact it’s as unpopular as it is irresponsible," said Tim Pearson, spokesman for Freedom's Watch. "The sooner they embrace that change, the sooner we’ll lay off them."

Even congressional Democrats safe from losing their seats in November aren't safe from attacks, as evidenced in American Future Fund's new radio ad, "Bargain" (subscription), aimed at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. This spot echoes another radio ad, "YouTube Sensation" (subscription), the group released in mid-July in response to Reid's projection that the Senate would likely leave on recess before addressing energy legislation. "Congress found time to pass National Apple Month," an announcer quips in "Bargain." "But Reid continues to block votes to explore for energy in America."

"We're going to the heart of the problem, which is Harry Reid and his obstructional policies in the U.S. Senate," said AFF spokesman Tim Albrecht. He said he hopes the ads resonate with Americans across the country throughout Congress' recess. "We're hoping that as they are on vacation, people will let their elected officials know that this is unacceptable," he said. "That they should not be on vacation, and instead be working on meaningful solutions to the energy crisis."

"We're clearly not the only ones who recognize the albatross -- both policy and political -- the liberal position on energy has become," said Pearson of Freedom's Watch. "And as long as liberals in Congress continue to be obstinate in their refusal to even grant a vote on domestic drilling, I expect ads like this one will sprout up across the country."

Proponents for the other side of the aisle have been equally quick in pointing fingers at GOP lawmakers for high energy prices. In one version of MoveOn.org's "Big Oil" (subscription), targeting Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., an announcer claims the Republican is "grandstanding" in Congress instead of solving the issue because he's benefited financially from oil companies.

The ad also takes a jab at the GOP's presidential candidate: "Now we have John McCain, who's taken more than a million dollars from Big Oil in the last few months. What do McCain and Jon Porter want to do next? Drill offshore?" the announcer asks viewers. And, reiterating a theme from an earlier spot that specifically targeted McCain on oil prices, the announcer chides: "That's a gimmick. Not a solution. We wouldn't see a drop of oil from offshore drilling for at least ten years. By then, who knows where prices will be?"

MoveOn spokeswoman Nita Chaudhary said the ads are intended to call out the congressional Republicans who are leading protests over the unaddressed energy legislation at the Capitol this week -- "political stunts," Chaudhary said. She also brushed off the two conservative groups' ads and said Americans realize drilling wouldn't resolve high oil prices.

The Democrats targeted in Freedom's Watch ads:

Boyda: incumbent Rep. in Kansas' 2nd District
Massa: candidate for New York's 29th District
Don Cazayoux: newly elected Rep. in Louisiana's 6th District
Walt Minnick: candidate for Idaho's 1st District
Mark Schauer: candidate for Michigan's 7th District
Kay Barnes: candidate for Missouri's 6th District
Carol Shea-Porter: incumbent Rep. for New Hampshire's 1st District
Martin Heinrich: candidate for New Mexico's 1st District
Mary Jo Kilroy: candidate for Ohio's 15th District
John Boccieri: candidate for Ohio's 16th District
Christopher Carney: incumbent Rep. for Pennsylvania's 10th District
Nick Lampson: incumbent for Texas' 22nd District

The House Republicans targeted in MoveOn.org ads:

Porter: Nevada's 3rd District
Roy Blunt: Missouri's 7th District
Mike Conaway: Texas' 11th District
John Culberson: Texas' 7th District
Mary Fallin: Oklahoma's 5th District
Mike Pence: Indiana's 6th District