[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     REPEAL THE FEDERAL DIESEL TAX

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced 
legislation to help protect all Americans from the artificially-
inflated rise in fuel costs by temporarily suspending the 24.4 cent per 
gallon federal tax on diesel fuel.
  This step is necessary because the price of diesel has almost doubled 
in the past six months. This steep rise is bringing ruin to America's 
truckers, carriers, shippers, farmers, and adversely affecting all 
consumers. While the U.S. Congress cannot force OPEC to increase 
production, we must initiate a federal investigation into possible 
manipulation and price gauging by OPEC members and other oil producers. 
Clearly there is no shortage of oil. What we see today is intentional 
manipulation of production to ensure the highest prices for oil 
producers.
  In addition to launching a federal investigation, Congress should 
pass my legislation which is designed to provide immediate, albeit 
temporary, relief for the American consumer and so many small 
businesses which depend on diesel fuel. The average independent trucker 
and small farmer cannot continue to operate their businesses with the 
cost of diesel at almost $2 per gallon! Let's help them out by 
repealing the federal tax on diesel at the same time that we work the 
diplomatic and legal channels to bring pressure on oil producers. 
Please cosponsor this bill.

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