[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NO OIL PRODUCING AND EXPORTING CARTELS ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2007

  Mr. TIAHRT. I strongly oppose oil-producing and exporting cartels 
setting artificial limits on the production of oil. Infamous cartels, 
such as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, 
have manipulated the supply of oil and helped worldwide gasoline prices 
soar. This harmful collaboration to limit oil production has led to 
hardships for the American economy.
  Unfortunately, Democratic leaders have brought a misguided bill to 
the House floor this week to supposedly bring an end to cartels such as 
OPEC. While I support the dismantling of cartels that manipulate oil 
production, I have serious concerns about negative consequences the 
United States would face if this bill were enacted.
  I rise to oppose H.R. 2264 because of the impact it would have on our 
national security, trade security and energy security.
  If the United States should bring an antitrust lawsuit against an 
OPEC member country, restrictions could be placed on our ability to 
station and activate troops in the Middle East. We rely on cooperation 
from countries that are members of cartels for assistance in the global 
war on terror. We should carefully consider what retaliatory actions or 
restrictions these countries could place on the United States if we 
were to pursue actions authorized in H.R. 2264.
  These foreign governments could also levy trade sanctions against 
American products and businesses or choose to employ another oil 
embargo like the one that occurred in 1973. By cutting off oil 
supplies, they could cause gasoline price increases for American 
consumers. Americans do not want higher gas prices, which is the 
direction H.R. 2264 could take us.
  The Democratic leadership should have waited until the Government 
Accountability Office is able to study the likelihood of retaliatory 
actions against the United States and any negative impact those actions 
would yield if H.R. 2264 became law. American security is not something 
we should treat glibly.
  I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 2264. The uncertain impact 
this bill could have on America's national security, energy security 
and economic security is not worth risking for hasty passage of a bill 
that will yield no short-term benefits for the American people.

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