HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, May 8, 2008 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) announced his co-sponsorship today of the Gas Tax Relief and Earmark Moratorium Act.  The legislation, authored by Budget Committee Ranking Republican Paul Ryan (R-WI), would suspend the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax this summer and provide a corresponding freeze on all taxpayer-funded earmarks.  Savings from the earmarks freeze also would be applied toward deficit reduction.  Boehner issued the following statement on the Ryan bill:

“Since Democrats refuse to lead on gas prices and earmark reform – top priorities of the American people – Republicans will.  The commonsense plan unveiled today by Rep. Ryan helps bring down gas prices by eliminating the federal gas tax during the summer months so American families can take their summer vacations with less strain on their budgets.  To ensure the Highway Trust Fund is not impacted, our plan establishes a freeze on taxpayer-funded earmarks.  For far too long, taxpayers have been footing the bill for billions upon billions in wasteful Washington spending that our nation neither needs nor can afford.  An earmark ban will halt this pork-barrel spending until Congress comes up with a straightforward plan to reform the earmark process and restore some sanity to the federal budget.  I thank Rep. Ryan for his proposal, and I urge the Democratic Majority to bring it to the floor so American families can enjoy gas tax relief in time for the summer.

“While this proposal will provide families and small businesses some relief this summer, both parties still have the responsibility to work together on other responsible measures to lower energy costs.  House Republicans have offered a comprehensive proposal to bring down gas prices by increasing production of American-made energy in an environmentally responsible way.  It’s time for the Democratic Majority to join us in supporting this long-overdue approach.”