WASHINGTON -- House Republican leaders said that they would introduce a resolution calling for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to unveil the "commonsense plan" to lower gasoline prices. "Two years ago, Speaker Pelosi promised the American people a commonsense plan to lower rising gas prices. Well, not only have we not seen this plan, gasoline is up $1.18 since she became Speaker. You might call it the 'Pelosi Premium'," said Republican Leader John Boehner (D-Ohio). Pelosi, in turn, fired off a letter to the President urging him to help enact legislation that she said will help with fuel prices.[image-nocss]
Boehner added, "Rising gas prices are putting the squeeze on America's families and small businesses. This is not a time for more empty campaign promises or hollow legislation that has no impact on lowering the cost of gasoline. I think American families want meaningful action to lower gas prices, and they want us to work together to find those answers. Today, House Republicans will introduce a resolution calling on the Speaker to finally reveal what her commonsense plan is to lower gas prices and if they don't have one, then they ought to be working with Republicans to come up with a commonsense plan that will put lower gas prices in front of the pumps for the American people."
House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said, "As the price of gas climbs higher, it looks like the Democratic plan to bring down prices was another of their empty campaign promises. If the Democrats have a plan, the American people have a right to know what it is. And today, House Republicans are putting forward legislation calling on the Speaker to make public her strategy once and for all. Americans have been feeling the pain of the Pelosi Premium for far too long, and while Democrats put forward legislation proclaiming this the 'Year of the Reef,' Republicans are going to fight to make it a 'Year of Relief' for American families."
On April 24, 2006, back when a gallon of regular gasoline averaged $2.91, then-Minority Leader Pelosiannounced that, "Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices."
Blunt said, "Today, with gasoline at $3.53 and marching steadily toward $4, Pelosi and this Democratic majority have yet to reveal that plan—or any plan—that would bring down the price of gasoline. The only proposals they have brought forth would have actually raised gas prices by placing erroneous taxes on gas and oil companies, while refusing to allow for the responsible development of U.S. energy resources."
For more Republican comments, click here.
House Republicans also said that they would force floor votes addressing the record cost of gasoline and invite Democrats to join them in requesting their leadership address the concerns of American families.
The House Resolution gives Speaker Pelosi five days to fulfill her promise to lower gas prices.
Click hereto read the full text of a letter from the Republicans to Pelosi.
Meanwhile, Pelosi has sent a letter to President Bush, "urging him to sign into law legislation that Congress has passed to help American families with the rising price of gasoline."
She wrote, "I respectfully ask you again to work with the Congress to allow the Justice Department to pursue oil cartel price-fixing, allow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to investigate and punish price gougers, end taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil and invest those funds in renewable American energy. Lastly, your Administration must use the authority given to it by the Congress to end market manipulation. We cannot wait to act in the face of these prices increases."
Pelosi asked the president to help Congress pass and to sign several pieces of legislation:
"The No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels (NOPEC) Act (H.R. 2264)
"This legislation enables the Department of Justice to take legal action against foreign nations for participating in oil cartels that drive up oil prices globally and in the United States. It does so by exempting OPEC and other nations from the provisions of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act when acting in a commercial capacity; by making clear that the so-called 'Act of State' doctrine does not prevent courts from ruling on antitrust charges brought against foreign governments; and by authorizing the Department of Justice to bring lawsuits in U.S. courts against cartel members. This bill passed the House 345-72. You have threatened to veto this legislation."
"The Energy Price Gouging Act (H.R. 1252)
"This legislation will reduce the burden of rising gas prices on American families, providing immediate relief to consumers by giving the FTC the authority to investigate and punish those who artificially inflate the price of energy. It ensures the federal government has the tools it needs to adequately respond to energy emergencies and prohibit price gouging—with a priority on refineries and big oil companies. This bill passed the House by 284-141. You have threatened to veto this legislation.
"Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 (H.R. 5351)
"With Exxon Mobil posting a record-breaking $40 billion in profits last year, it is unnecessary for taxpayers to subsidize Big Oil. This bill will end unnecessary subsidies to Big Oil companies and invest in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency. It will extend and expand tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances. These provisions are critical to creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. And the preservation of existing jobs relies on them too: a recent study showed that allowing the renewable energy incentives to expire would lead to about 116,000 jobs being lost in the wind and solar industries through the end of 2009. This bill passed 236-182. You have threatened to veto this legislation."
Click hereto view the full text of Pelosi's letter.
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