[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 97 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IMPLEMENT PRESIDENT'S ENERGY PLAN

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, in the last few weeks we have seen gas prices 
go up and down, and I think we all hope they keep coming down. Energy 
prices are still too high, supply is not meeting demand, and we are 
still expecting rolling blackouts in California, and we could still see 
gas prices as high as $2 a gallon.
  This is the time for leadership. We need real solutions. The 
President has taken the initiative and is working hard to implement his 
105-point plan to increase supply and correct the market, but some 
politicians just cannot resist the temptation to politicize this for 
personal gain. They are telling people that there is a quick fix and 
pointing fingers at anyone who says there is not.
  But we cannot just put price caps on energy. If anything, that will 
make the problem worse, by removing any incentive to increase 
production. We need to remove impediments to production so supply can 
go up and prices can come down.
  The last two economic recessions were preceded by similar energy 
crunches. Hopefully we can still avert a recession, but only if we stop 
playing games and implement the President's energy plan.

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