[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H7962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HOUSE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT BILLS THAT PROVIDE AMERICANS RELIEF 
                              AT THE PUMP

  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, back in 2003, congressional Republicans 
supported the Bush-Cheney energy bill that was written in secret by Big 
Oil. And, boy, are we paying.
  Three years later, we have record prices for consumers and record 
profits for the oil companies. Since taking control of Congress last 
year, Democrats have worked hard to reverse these failed energy 
policies.
  For the first time in 32 years, we increased the fuel efficiency 
standards for vehicles so they will be more efficient, which will save 
Americans about $1,000 a year. We also made a historic commitment to 
investing in biofuels and increasing domestic oil supply and drill 
responsibly.
  This is a good start, but more needs to be done. That's why House 
Democrats brought eight pieces of legislation up in July to cut the 
high cost of gas, and Republicans opposed every one of those bills.
  Mr. Speaker, it's time for House Republicans to work with us 
Democrats to provide the American people lower costs at the pump and 
lower costs in the grocery store by ending the excessive Wall Street 
speculation in our energy markets and increasing our energy and food 
costs. Mr. Speaker, it's time to end the manipulation of prices by Wall 
Street and the excessive speculation, to lower prices and save this 
American economy.

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