12 Things Congress has (or Hasn't) Done to Lower Gas Prices

Press Release

12 Things Congress Has (or Hasn't) Done To Lower Gas Prices

Congressman Murphy's Effort To Bring Us Energy Independence

By:
Congressman Tim Murphy

Instead of weaning us off of oil, many of my colleagues in Congress have yet to take one step to increase the supply of energy since January 2007. Take a look at these twelve issues and see if you agree. If you do, please sign my petition to the Congressional Leadership at Energy Independence For America.

It's a list I refer to as the "Dirty Dozen."

THE DIRTY DOZEN ACTIONS OF CONGRESS

1) Voted to prevent access to the 1.6-2 trillion barrels of oil in the Colorado Shale

2) Continued the moratorium blocking oil exploration off America's coasts.

3) Raised taxes on oil coming out of the Gulf of Mexico. (H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007).

* On January 18, 2007, gas cost $2.23 a gallon. *

4) Raised taxes on oil refineries (Renewable Energy Conservation Tax Act, H.R. 5351) except Venezuela's Citgo, which is exempt from the tax. The House passed a similar measure four times in 2007.

* On April 1, 2008, gas cost $3.33 a gallon. *

5) Begged the Saudis for more oil. (Bush 01/08, Senate Dem leadership)

* On May 12, 2008, gas cost $3.72 a gallon. *

6) Proposed to stop putting 70,000 barrels of oil a day into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This amounts to one-tenth of one percent of the world's daily oil consumption (05/08 H.R.6022 Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act).

* On May 13, 2008, gas cost $3.73 a gallon. *

7) Voted to sue the Saudis (06/08 No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act, H.R. 2264).

* On May 22, 2008, gas cost $3.80 a gallon. *

8) Voted for a price-gouging bill that didn't define what was considered price gouging (06/08 H.R. 6346, Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act.)

* On June 24, 2008, gas cost $4.07 a gallon. *

9) Vote to punish illegal energy speculation (Energy Markets Emergency Act, H.R. 6377).

* On June 26, 2008, gas cost $4.08 a gallon. *

10) Voted to take oil out of the strategic petroleum reserve, which contains only 58 days of our nation's oil supply)

* On July 8, 2008, gas cost $4.11 a gallon. *

11) Vote to offer tax breaks for the development of corn-based ehtanol and then later a reduction in the tax credits when it was found to contribute to higher food costs.

12) We did not have a vote on a comprehensive energy bill, but Congress did have a vote to ban the interstate transportation of monkeys and other primates.

Throughout this whole process, gas prices kept climbing. Not one of these actions led to a single additional drop of oil for American consumers. It was not until the President proposed lifting the ban on offshore drilling that prices started to fall. However, there can be no more offshore drilling unless Congress acts to lift the current legal moratorium.

If we do, we will open up enough areas for drilling to create jobs and fund investments in America's energy Independence.

Please go to my web site at Energy Independence For America and sign our petition to the Congressional leadership. If you've already signed it please forward it to a friend and ask for their support. Let's keep working together for America's energy independence.

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