[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 64 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WHITE HOUSE TRAVEL OFFICE LEGISLATION

  The Senate continued with the consideration of the bill.
  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, on a separate subject, let me say I 
strongly support the efforts of the majority leader to repeal the 
President's Clinton 4.3-cent-per-gallon fuel tax. I also believe 
strongly that the efforts of the majority leader in this area will 
result in some relief to the consumers of America.
  In my State of South Dakota, agriculture and tourism are the two most 
important industries. This is just the time of the year that farmers 
are driving their tractors, truckers are hauling agricultural supplies 
and produce and seeds, and tourists are beginning to come to see Mt. 
Rushmore and the attractions in southwestern South Dakota. They need 
immediate relief from high fuel prices.
  I also support the Justice Department's antitrust probe into the 
recent price increases. Certainly, we need to know if price fixing is 
occurring. However, past antitrust investigations have failed to 
produce conclusive evidence of illegal activity. We need to take action 
now. I hope the Congress can avoid procedural delays and give immediate 
relief to millions of Americans at the gas pumps.
  Let us remember that this Senate has been stalled by filibusters 
throughout this session. I know that the national media has stopped 
using the word ``filibuster,'' but that is what is happening. The 
Senate is tied up in knots. The approach of the opposition in this 
Chamber has been nothing more than gridlock and filibuster.
  Therefore, I hope we repeal the fuel tax very quickly. We are ready 
to do it. Members of the Senate Finance Committee have discussed this. 
We are prepared to act.

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