[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
                            THE PRICE OF GAS

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today because I am outraged. I am 
outraged that Americans are paying in some places in Indiana upwards to 
$2 a gallon for gasoline. Families across this country are being hurt 
by the fluctuating cost of fueling their cars. Stopping at the pump is 
no longer a routine function.
  We have heard of sticker shock, Madam Speaker. Now we have been 
introduced this summer to pump sticker shock.
  For years our colleagues in the other party have been actively 
working against opening new refineries and other methods of increasing 
the domestic supply of oil and gasoline. They have tried to demonize 
the oil industry of late and place the blame for rising costs squarely 
on the shoulders of executives and CEOs. Their political ploys have 
cost American drivers millions at the pump and have increased our 
reliance on foreign oil to such an extent that 60 percent of our oil 
comes from abroad.
  Madam Speaker, I am happy to say that our President is leading on 
increased energy independence and the Republican majority in this body 
stands with him to end the day of pump shock in this summer and in the 
months ahead for American families.

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