The Senate Judiciary Committee received sworn testimony in Washington today from the CEOs of Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips, Chevron, Valero Energy, Shell Oil and British Petroleum, as well as antitrust experts from across the nation. Durbin is a member of the Judiciary Committee.

“The skyrocketing costs of gasoline and home heating oil have hit working families and businesses hard,” Durbin said. “And the antitrust division of the Department of Justice has been a lapdog in a room full of energy pit bulls."

Durbin announced he will be an original co-sponsor of the Petroleum Industry Antitrust Act of 2006 to be introduced by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA). The bill not only gives the Department of Justice new authority to prosecute the domestic energy giants, but also empowers the government to charge foreign energy cartels that act in collusion to limit production or set prices.

“New laws mean little or nothing if our Department of Justice does not have the will to act decisively to protect American consumers,” Durbin said. “To date the Attorney General has failed to show any leadership on this issue.”

“Consumers across America and across Illinois have told me they are ‘madder than hell’ about energy prices,” Durbin said. “Unless the government is willing to stand up and fight for competition and fairness, consumers will continue to be ripped off.”