[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 58 (Tuesday, May 3, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               GAS PRICES

  (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, over the last several weeks, my Rhode 
Island constituents and Americans all across this country have been 
nervously eyeing their neighborhood gas stations, waiting and watching 
as the gas prices steadily rise, now forcing many to fill their tanks 
for no less than $4 per gallon.
  This news underscores the concerns voiced by hundreds of men, women, 
and families throughout Rhode Island and all across this Nation in 
recent weeks. They can no longer afford the price of gasoline, and 
urgent help is needed.
  Yet as gas prices climb, profits continue to soar for Big Oil. We've 
got to find solutions now to lower the cost of gasoline and to end the 
$4 billion in tax breaks that are paid to Big Oil.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delivering a letter today to the Speaker asking him 
to bring legislation already drafted to the floor for a vote that would 
release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and legislation aimed 
at preventing Big Oil from engaging in price-gouging schemes which 
drive up the price of gas at the pumps.
  These are just two measures, Mr. Speaker, that have been introduced 
in the House which would provide immediate relief to consumers from the 
rising price of gasoline that threatens our economy and the well-being 
of hardworking middle class Americans all throughout this country.
  I certainly hope the Speaker will put these on the calendar so we can 
vote on them and provide relief immediately to the American people.

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