Dems' "Energy" Bill Equals Higher Taxes and More Expensive Gasoline for American Families

MONDAY, NOV 23, 2009

The House is not in session.

TUESDAY, NOV 24, 2009

The House is not in session.

WEDNESDAY, NOV 25, 2009

The House is not in session.

THURSDAY, NOV 26, 2009

The House is not in session.

FRIDAY, NOV 27, 2009

The House is not in session.

Leader Alert

Dems' "Energy" Bill Equals Higher Taxes and More Expensive Gasoline for American Families
Gas Prices Increase Significantly Under Democratic Majority, In Spite of Speaker's Pledge for "Commonsense Plan"

Washington, Feb 26, 2008 - In 2006, then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) made this election-year statement: “Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices.” More than a year later, gasoline prices have skyrocketed under Democratic control, increasing from a nationwide average of $2.33 per gallon on the day Rep. Pelosi became Speaker to $3.13 per gallon now.

JANUARY 4, 2007

NOW

$2.33

$3.13

Source: Energy Information Administration

In Speaker Pelosi’s home state of California, it gets worse. The average in the Golden State is up to $3.32 per gallon. The Los Angeles Times details the gas spikes in a story today titled “Gasoline prices Jump in California and Nationwide.” Is this the “new direction” that Democrats promised the American people? What have Democrats done to increase supplies of American-made energy and lower gasoline prices for working families? Overheated rhetoric aside … it’s clear the answer is nothing.

With the price of oil topping $101 per barrel last week and gasoline and home-heating bills spiking as well, the frustrations felt by American consumers today are both understandable and justified. Unfortunately, the “no-energy” bill being brought to the House floor this week by Democratic leaders gives the American people exactly what they don’t need: higher taxes and almost assuredly, even higher gasoline prices. House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) says the bill is exactly the wrong approach for America’s families:

“Middle class families fighting to make ends meet aren’t seeing too many signs of relief as skyrocketing gasoline and home-heating bills hit the family budget like new tax increases. Unfortunately, some in Washington seem intent on making matters worse. Democratic leaders are proposing legislation this week that would raise taxes on producers of American energy here at home, send good-paying jobs overseas, and further increase our dependence on foreign sources of energy. It represents the same failed approach that caused long gas lines and rationing in the 1970s.”

“With 21st century technologies and the strictest standards in the world, Republicans believe we must produce more of our own energy right here at home and protect our environment at the same time. We can accomplish both of these important goals, but not by supporting reckless, Big Government tax hikes that jeopardize our energy future and endanger our economy.” (AUDIO)

Increasing taxes and cutting off American-made supplies defies logic, common sense, and would devastate the economy by killing American jobs. With consumers facing rising gas prices and the highest home-heating costs in history this winter, it’s painfully clear that the Majority’s prescription for energy policy is a recipe for economic disaster. That’s why Republicans are fighting for a balanced plan that increases supplies of American energy to help lower consumers' prices today and invests in future fuels to meet our needs of tomorrow.

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HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner