As Memorial Day Nears, Republicans Offer Solutions to Help Lower Gas Prices While Democrats Do Nothing
Pelosi Premium Reaches Another New High, as Families Now Paying $1.55 More Per Gallon than
Washington,
May 23, 2008 -
For the 16th consecutive day, gasoline prices reached another record high today: $3.88, according to AAA. That means American families and small businesses are paying an additional $1.55 per gallon of gasoline today – the Pelosi Premium – compared to what they were paying on January 4, 2007 – Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) first day as Speaker. CNN has the story:
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“The nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to $3.875, up from $3.831 the previous day, according to the most recent reading from motorist group AAA. That’s the 16th consecutive record for gas prices ….”
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A story titled “If $4 Gas Is Bad, Just Wait” in the Wall Street Journal this morning says that the “shock at the gas pump is bound to get worse. Maybe much worse.” What have Democrats done to solve the problem? House Democrats have not only failed to offer any meaningful solutions, they’ve put forward policies that make gasoline more expensive. One of their favored solutions is raising the gas tax.
In contrast, Republicans have offered comprehensive reforms to increase the supply of American-made energy, improve energy efficiency, and encourage investment in groundbreaking research in advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies. Here is an overview of the House GOP energy agenda:
--Republicans will increase the production of American-made energy in an environmentally-safe way. This includes the exploration of next generation oil, natural gas, and coal and the production of advanced alternative fuels like cellulosic and clean coal-to-liquids – all while protecting our natural resources for future generations.
--Republicans will promote new, clean, and reliable sources of energy like advanced nuclear and next generation coal, while promoting clean power from renewable energy such as wind and hydroelectric power. Nuclear energy has proven itself as a safe, carbon-free and environmentally friendly alternative, with France relying on it for nearly 80 percent of its electricity needs, compared to just 19 percent in America.
--Republicans will cut red tape and increase the supply of American-made fuel and energy. Limiting the construction of new oil refineries and bureaucratic regulations mandating the use of exotic fuels have decreased supply and increased the Pelosi Premium.
--Republicans will encourage greater energy efficiency by offering conservation tax incentives to Americans who make their home, car, and business more energy efficient.
To help ease the pain of the Pelosi Premium in the short term, House Republican leaders are supporting legislation that would impose an immediate freeze on earmarks and use the resulting savings to reduce the federal budget deficit and suspend the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax for the summer.”
At his weekly press briefing yesterday, Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) highlighted the House GOP’s comprehensive energy plan to ease the pain of the $1.55 Pelosi Premium:
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“This is a plan we were expecting from the Democrats two years ago. During the recess, our Members will be in their districts talking about this plan, and we’re going to keep talking about it all summer. With $4.00 a gallon gas becoming rapidly a reality in most markets around the country, it is clear that the only way we’re going to achieve energy independence is by encouraging more conservation and more production in an environmentally safe way.” (AUDIO)
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The Pelosi Premium is hitting working families hard at a time when they are confronting high costs of living, a slowing economy, and a housing crunch. Once a nightmare scenario, $4 gasoline has become a harsh reality – on Speaker Pelosi’s watch. Washington is broken, and the Democratic Majority’s refusal to address soaring energy prices is a perfect example of why. House Republicans have a plan to fix it.
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