[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12745]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               GAS PRICES

  (Mr. SMITH of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, for many Americans, pulling up to 
the gas station is becoming a dreaded event. There have been some 
short-term remedies, but with prices at $4 per gallon, any relief must 
be paired with a broader energy plan which unlocks American resources.
  Current U.S. policy unnecessarily keeps many areas off limits to 
exploration, restraining additional growth and supply. High fuel prices 
impact rural areas the hardest. Long commutes are a way of life, and 
crushing gas prices have hit farmers and ranchers in every aspect of 
their lives.
  Unfortunately, several special interest groups have said no to 
virtually every solution, including clean, renewable hydropower, non-
emitting nuclear power, clean coal technology, wind power, and domestic 
exploration and development.
  It has been over 20 years since President Ronald Reagan called on 
Congress to lease ANWR. It has been over 30 years since a new refinery 
has come on line. Since then, America has paid the price for delay, and 
we are paying the price every time we pull up to the pump.

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