[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E487-E488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF THE AFFORDABLE GAS PRICE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2011

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Affordable Gas Price 
Act. This legislation reduces gas prices by reforming government 
policies that artificially inflate the price of gas. Because of a 
number of factors, including the instability in the Middle East, the 
average price of gas has risen approximately 13% since the beginning of 
the year. In some areas, the price of gas is approaching $4.00 per 
gallon. There is thus a real possibility that the American people will 
soon be once again hard hit by skyrocketing gas prices.
  High gas prices threaten our fragile economy and diminishes the 
quality of life for all Americans. One industry that is particularly 
hard hit is the trucking industry. The effects of high gas prices on 
the trucking industry will be reflected in increased costs for numerous 
consumer goods, thus further harming American consumers.
  Unfortunately, many proposals to address the problem of higher energy 
prices involve increasing government interference in the market through 
policies such as price controls. These big government solutions will, 
at best, prove ineffective and, at worst, bring back the fuel shortages 
and gas lines of the seventies.
  Instead of expanding government, Congress should repeal federal laws 
and polices that raise the price of gas, either directly through taxes 
or indirectly though regulations that discourage the development of new 
fuel sources. This is why my legislation repeals the federal moratorium 
on offshore drilling and allows oil exploration in the ANWR reserve in 
Alaska. My bill also ensures that the National Environmental Policy 
Act's environmental impact statement requirement will no longer be used 
as a tool to force refiners to waste valuable time and capital on 
nuisance litigation. The Affordable Gas Price Act also provides tax 
incentives to encourage investment in new refineries.

[[Page E488]]

  Federal fuel taxes are a major part of gasoline's cost. The 
Affordable Gas Price Act suspends the federal gasoline tax any time the 
average gas prices exceeds $3.00 per gallon. During the suspension, the 
federal government will have a legal responsibility to ensure the 
federal highway trust fund remains funded. My bill also raises the 
amount of mileage reimbursement not subject to taxes, and, during times 
of high oil prices, provides the same mileage reimbursement benefit to 
charity and medical organizations as provided to businesses.
  Misguided and outdated trade polices are also artificially raising 
the price of gas. For instance, even though Russia and Kazakhstan allow 
their citizens the right and opportunity to emigrate, they are still 
subject to Jackson-Vanik sanctions, even though Jackson-Vanik was a 
reaction to the Soviet Union's highly restrictive emigration policy. 
Eliminating Jackson-Vanik's threat of trade-restricting sanctions would 
increase the United States' access to oil supplies from non-Arab 
countries. Thus, my bill terminates the application of title IV of the 
Trade Act of 1974 to Russia and Khazaskin, allowing Americans to enjoy 
the benefits of free trade with these oil-producing nations.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the 
Affordable Gas Price Act and end government polices that increase the 
cost of gasoline.

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