[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H8281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REPUBLICANS CLAIM THEY WANT ALL OF THE ABOVE BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING TO 
                            LOWER GAS PRICES

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, both Democrats and Republicans have been 
talking about high gas prices for months. At first, Republicans said we 
just needed to drill, drill, drill, but then they joined us in saying 
that a more comprehensive, all-of-the-above proposal was in order. It 
turns out it was just all talk.
  Democrats have been trying to reverse the failed Bush policies of the 
past, but Republicans keep saying no. We proposed legislation to crack 
down on price gouging and to curb excess speculation. Republicans said 
no. We proposed lowering gas prices immediately by tapping the 
Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Republicans said no. We proposed 
legislation that would force Big Oil to drill on 68 million acres of 
land to increase oil production here at home. Republicans again said 
no.
  Yesterday, we passed an all-of-the-above energy package to bring down 
prices and to invest in America's energy future, but again, Republicans 
voted no.
  Mr. Speaker, it seems like Republicans don't actually want to resolve 
the crisis. They just want to talk about the crisis.

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