[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 113 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEMOCRATS ARE URGING THE RELEASE OF OIL FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM 
                      RESERVE TO LOWER GAS PRICES

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, with record-high gas prices filling oil 
companies' wallets with record profits and pinching the wallets of 
American consumers, why isn't President Bush taking action to bring 
down prices at the pump now?
  Democrats in Congress are urging the President to release oil from 
the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which will increase the supply of oil 
in the market, send a strong message to speculators, and most 
importantly, reduce gas prices today. This administration has used the 
Petroleum Reserve in the past, as have the administrations of both 
President Clinton and President Bush I. The reserve is currently 97 
percent full, the highest level ever, with enough oil to meet our 
national security needs and provide relief at the pump.
  So why, when Americans continue to feel the squeeze of devastatingly 
high gas prices, does the President not take action? Madam Speaker, 
President Bush continues to talk about new drilling. But his own 
administration says it can't be done for at least another decade.
  Let's provide relief at the pump today by opening up America's 
Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

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