[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LET US HOLD HEARINGS ON THE OIL COMPANY SCAM ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

  (Mr. MARKEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, gas prices are shooting up at the pump. 
Meanwhile, the big oil companies have just announced record profits. 
Gasoline inventories dwindle. Meanwhile, three major refineries 
announced routine shutdowns on the very same day, last Friday. Pump 
prices soared 30 cents on oil company speculation. Meanwhile, their 
Republican defenders in Congress blame a 4-cent tax. The President 
initiates an investigation and releases reserves. Meanwhile, the 
Republican Congress sits on its hands. Where are the hearings? People 
want answers. Why are the oil companies doing this? But all we get is a 
Republican silence of the lambs.
  Mr. Speaker, consumers are in need, and all we get is a Republican 
fig leaf for the naked greed of the oil companies.
  Let us face it. The gas tax is a dry hole. If we want to strike oil, 
let us pass a windfall profits tax on the money that the oil companies 
are taking out of the pockets of consumers. They are tipping consumers 
upside-down and shaking money out of the pockets of these consumers. 
Let us have Republican hearings on this oil company scam on the 
American people.

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