[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9723]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 DO-NOTHING CONGRESS REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE HIGH COST OF GAS

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, with Memorial Day approaching, it would 
be nice if the Republican-controlled House had actually done something 
about gas prices that continue to hover about $3 a gallon.
  Over the past 5 years, we have seen gas prices double what they were 
when President Bush took office. American families are now spending 
about $1,500 more a year on transportation than they did 5 years ago. 
Gas prices are taking a big bite out of American family budgets.
  And yet for 5 years, Washington Republicans have chosen to pad the 
pockets of Big Oil rather than provide real relief to consumers or 
sufficient resources for alternative energy. Last year they signed an 
energy bill into law that was nothing more than a $20 billion gift to 
Big Oil.
  It is no wonder that Big Oil continues to reap record profits, 
including nearly $30 billion for the six largest oil companies in the 
first quarter of this year alone. House Republicans are unwilling to 
provide real relief to American consumers because of their cozy 
relationship with Big Oil.
  Despite what Republicans claim this week, drilling in ANWR is not a 
solution to our energy crisis.

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