[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE ANTI-PRICE GOUGING ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2005

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Anti-Price 
Gouging Act of 2005, legislation that makes price gouging during a time 
of a national disaster a Federal crime. I am joined by Representatives 
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Linda Sanchez, Jerrold Nadler, Martin Meehan, 
Sheila Jackson-Lee, Bennie Thompson, William Jefferson, Adam Schiff, 
Joe Crowley, William Delahunt, Zoe Lofgren, Gene Taylor, Chris Van 
Hollen, Diane Watson, Bobby Scott, Ed Case, Bernie Sanders, Mike 
Capuano, Dennis Kucinich, Bob Filner, Dan Boren, Jim McDermott, George 
Miller, John Larson, Al Green, Julia Carson, Carolyn Kilpatrick, 
Carolyn Maloney, Emanuel Cleaver, Anthony Weiner, Barbara Lee, Betty 
McCollum, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jay Inslee, and Jose Serrano.
  Every time a major disaster occurs, we are confronted with scarcity 
of resources that often results in exorbitant prices for necessary 
resources such as gas, food and water. While some adjustment to prices 
may be necessary, unconscionable increases in price are unfair and 
harmful to consumers, who, at a time of national disaster, are already 
dealing with significant personal losses. It is unconscionable for the 
same gasoline that sold for $2.50 per gallon on one day, to be marked 
up to $3.50 on the next day. Similarly, a hotel room that was promised 
at $80 per night on the phone; should not be raised $200 per night upon 
arrival. These instances of price gouging have been occurring 
throughout the country, even in areas far removed from the direct 
damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
  Currently, at least 13 States--Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 
Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia--have laws that 
specifically address price gouging in the event of a declared 
emergency. Unfortunately, there is no Federal statute addressing the 
issue.
  When we have unprecedented natural disasters, such as Hurricane 
Katrina, and price gouging that harms consumers across the Nation, we 
need Federal law enforcement available to support the States. As a 
result, the Anti-Price Gouging Act of 2005 would make it a violation of 
the Antitrust Laws for a supplier to charge unconscionable prices for 
necessary goods or services once a state of emergency has been declared 
by the President.
  This legislation is not only extremely important now, at a time of 
national disaster, but it is also mindful that we cannot sit around and 
wait for disaster to strike before putting in place mechanisms that 
will help consumers in their times of need. I hope the Congress moves 
quickly to enact the Anti-Price Gouging Act of 2005.




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