Blog: Dems Block GOP Effort to Boost American Energy, Fight to Increase Gas Prices Further

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With more than seven in 10 American families, seniors and small businesses struggling with financial hardship due to sky-high gas prices, Republicans are working to boost American energy production and help create jobs with the American Energy Initiative. Democrats, on the other hand, are doing everything they can to block that effort -- all but ensuring that Americans will continue facing soaring prices on everything from gas to groceries. Here's how Democrats are making pain at the pump even worse for Americans:

Blocking More American Energy Production. On Wednesday, Senate Democrats voted against legislation to boost American energy production in the Gulf Coast, and other areas in the U.S. This legislation was similar to three American Energy Initiative bills that House Republicans have already passed to roll back the Obama Administration's de facto moratorium on American energy, address gas prices and help create more jobs.

Fighting For Energy Tax Hikes That Will Increase Gas Prices. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats voted to raise taxes on American energy companies, despite the fact that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the bill was "not going to have any effect on the price of gasoline." In fact, the non-partisan Congressional Research Service said tax hikes on energy companies would actually "make oil and natural gas more expensive for U.S. consumers and likely increase foreign dependence."

While Democrats spent this week fighting efforts to boost American energy production and help create jobs, House Republicans, led by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), traveled to the Gulf Coast to hear directly from American energy producers. In a statement announcing the tour, Rep. Scalise underscored the urgent need to unlock America's energy resources:

"Gas prices have more than doubled since President Obama took office, and it is clear that his failed policies have contributed to these higher prices while also running thousands of good jobs out of our country. We can strengthen America's energy security by unlocking our resources here at home in order to decrease our dependence on Middle Eastern oil while creating thousands more American jobs and bringing billions of dollars back to America to pay down our debt. American families know that we cannot achieve energy security by killing energy jobs and handcuffing American energy producers, and this tour will allow Members of Congress from around the country to get a first-hand view of the technology and innovation involved in exploring for energy safely in the deep water."

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