[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17073]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         DEMOCRATS CONTINUE EFFORTS TO LOWER PRICES AT THE PUMP

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. While Americans suffer pain at the pump, Republicans and 
President Bush insist on the same old energy policies that put us on 
this dangerous path to record high gas prices. Instead of looking 
towards the past, Democrats have been exploring both immediate and 
long-term solutions to America's energy crisis.
  To help consumers suffering right now, this House has passed 
legislation cracking down on price fixing and price gouging by 
retailers. We also forced the President to suspend sending oil to the 
Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This week, House Democrats will bring a 
bill to the floor that will end rampant speculation that is driving up 
gas prices by closing the Enron loophole. These are all solutions that 
should help lower prices today.
  But we have also passed landmark legislation that will lead to more 
efficient vehicles when we enacted the first new vehicle fuel 
efficiency standards in 32 years. These new standards will help drivers 
with up to $1,000 a year in gas when it's fully enacted.
  Madam Speaker, House Democrats are proposing both short- and long-
term solutions to high gas prices, and it's time for congressional 
Republicans to join us in our efforts.

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