[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10650]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            REPUBLICANS ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS ENERGY NEEDS

  (Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans are continuing to work to 
lower the cost of gasoline over the mid and long-term.
  On Wednesday, House Republicans passed the Refinery Permit Process 
Schedule Act to help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. 
Despite our country's increasing demand for fuel, the United States has 
not built an oil refinery in over 30 years. Total capacity of current 
refineries is roughly 17 million barrels per day, while demand is 
nearly 21 million barrels per day.
  We cannot continue this trend of using more refined petroleum 
products than we produce. It is vital that we move away from our 
dependence on foreign sources to fill this gap. I am pleased that this 
week's long overdue legislation helps remove red tape preventing 
construction of new refineries.
  House Republicans have also taken other actions to ban price gouging, 
promote conservation efforts, reduce the cost of energy, encourage the 
use of alternative power sources and improve our electricity 
transmission capability.
  Republicans have also repeatedly supported legislation to open up the 
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration.
  And the Democrats? They have voted ``no'' on nearly every measure 
that would offer relief to hardworking Americans.

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