Speaker Hastert: Democrats Block Efforts to Lessen Dependence on Foreign Oil

Speaker Hastert: Democrats Block Efforts to Lessen Dependence on Foreign Oil

Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) today issued the following statement after passage of H.R. 5253 giving the authority to enforce price gouging. The bill passed 389-34. House Democrats defeated a second bill, H.R. 5254, which would make it easier to site new gasoline and renewable fuel refineries in the United State. The two bills were developed by Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH) and Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM).

"House Republicans understand that Americans are feeling the pain at the pump. Today we acted for real results by giving the Federal Trade Commission the authority to prosecute instances of price gouging in the market for gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil, home heating oil and biofuels. Americans deserve to know that the price they pay at the pump reflects the true cost of gasoline.

"The Democrats' silence on the issue of limiting our dependence on foreign oil is deafening. The 185 Democrats who voted no on good legislation meant to bring relief at the pump sent a message to the American people that, as far as they are concerned, high gasoline prices are here to stay. The Democrats must want America to become more and more dependent on foreign oil and that we should never build a new refinery. If they can't support common sense legislation designed to streamline the refinery sitting process: what can they support? It's time Democrats realize that "no" is not a solution."

http://speaker.house.gov/library/energy/060503Refineries.shtml