Gas Prices

GAS PRICES -- (House of Representatives - April 26, 2006)

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is breathtaking what President Bush and congressional Republicans will say or do when it comes to skyrocketing gas prices. In discussing tax breaks for oil companies, the President said yesterday, and I quote, ``RECORD oil prices and large cash flows also mean that Congress has got to understand that these energy companies don't need unnecessary tax breaks.''

Coming from the single greatest champion of tax breaks for oil companies that the Oval Office has ever known, that is rich. The President has spent the last 5 years fighting for these tax breaks that he now disavows. Last year's energy bill, which he signed, had $8 billion of corporate welfare for oil companies. For him to suggest now that he opposes these tax breaks is, in my opinion, dishonest, cynical, and the height of hypocrisy.

When it comes to solving the energy crisis, President Bush and his Republican Congress have no credibility. Had they spent the last 5 years working to reduce demand by raising fuel standards, rolling back the billions of dollars in tax breaks and royalty relief to the big oil companies; and if he were about promoting alternative fuels, as Democrats have proposed, we might now today be on the road to energy independence. Instead we are bracing ourselves for $4 gas prices.

The American people expect leadership from their President and Congress, Madam Speaker. They are not getting it from either.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r109:1:./temp/~r109mOtu4W::