Failing Economics 101: Democrats Oppose More American Energy Supply, Support Higher Gasoline Prices
House Republicans Promote GOP Plan to Lower Gas Prices While Democrats Watch Prices Surge Toward $4 Per Gallon --- and Do Nothing About It
Washington,
Jun 5, 2008 -
Americans understand that we need a comprehensive energy policy that increases all forms of American energy, enhances conservation, and invests in future fuels. And with the price of a gallon of gasoline now $3.99 – according to AAA – they understand it even more every day.
It’s no secret that the United States needs more energy supply – not less – to help meet demand, reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, and lower prices for American consumers. Unfortunately, this isn’t reflected in the voting records of Republicans and Democrats on increasing American energy production on behalf of American families and small businesses. House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) points out the differences between the two parties since 1994:
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- 91 percent of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of American-made oil and gas.
- 86 percent of House Democrats have historically voted against increasing the production of American-made oil and gas.
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Democrats have a long track record of opposing and obstructing GOP efforts to help lower prices at the pump for families and small businesses. For example, in the 109th Congress alone, Democrats voted “NO” on increasing American-made energy supplies of every kind:
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- Democrats overwhelmingly voted “NO” on increasing American supplies of Natural Gas.
- Democrats overwhelmingly voted “NO” on expanding America’s Refinery Capacity.
- Democrats overwhelmingly voted “NO” to invest in Alternative Energy.
- Democrats overwhelmingly voted “NO” on increasing American supplies of Oil.
- Democrats overwhelmingly voted “NO” on increasing American supplies of Renewable and Geothermal Energy.
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Voting “NO” and willfully ignoring certain forms of energy – solely to capitulate to radical environmental activists on the Left – does nothing to help lower gasoline prices. In fact, it makes for higher fuel prices across the country and more pain for families and small businesses.
With gasoline prices skyrocketing and our dependence on foreign oil increasing, isn’t it time to increase the supply of American-made energy to help lower prices here at home? Democrats don’t think so. Instead, they continue to demand more oil from OPEC but refuse to increase American production of energy in an environmentally responsible way. In a column in today’s Washington Post, George Will says Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is “complicit in taking $10 away from every American who buys 20 gallons of gasoline” because of his irrational demands for more supply from OPEC even as he refuses to increase supply here in America:
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“Saudi Arabia, [Sen. Schumer] said, ‘holds the key to reducing gasoline prices at home in the short term.’ Therefore arms sales to that kingdom should be blocked unless it ‘increases its oil production by one million barrels per day,’ which would cause the price of gasoline to fall ‘50 cents a gallon almost immediately.’”
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With the Pelosi Premium – the amount consumers are forced to pay compared to what they paid on January 4, 2007, the first day of Pelosi’s Speakership – now an incredible $1.66 per gallon, House Republicans have unveiled a comprehensive plan for lower gas prices and energy independence. The GOP blueprint promotes alternative and renewable fuels, harnesses technologies already being employed successfully by our global competitors, and unlocks America’s natural energy resources through the responsible exploration of oil and gas in the United States – a reform backed by 57 percent of Americans, according to a new Gallup poll. How much longer will Democrats ignore the American people and refuse to address skyrocketing gasoline prices?
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