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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi: On First Anniversary of Failed Republican Energy Bill, Americans Struggle With Skyrocketing Gas Prices
Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on skyrocketing gas prices on the eve of the first anniversary of President Bush’s signing of the failed Republican energy bill on August 8, 2005:
"One year ago, the top Republican charged with drafting the energy bill, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, said the Republican energy bill ‘will lower energy prices for consumers, spur our economy, [and] create hundreds of thousands of jobs.’
"Wrong, wrong, and wrong.
"While Republicans and Big Oil celebrate their failed energy bill, everyday Americans are struggling to keep up with rising energy prices. Just this evening, the Department of Energy said average gas prices are $3.04 a gallon, and analysts said the price will likely break the record of $3.06 a gallon within the next week. That is a 30 percent increase since President Bush signed the Republican energy bill one year ago tomorrow, and is more than double the price of gas at the start of this Administration. Oil prices have increased by $13 a barrel.
"The day the President signed the energy bill, he promised that it would ‘help our economic growth by addressing the root causes of high energy prices and reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy.’ Instead, our record dependence on foreign oil has increased and we are sending nearly $1 billion a day to the Middle East and other oil producing countries. Families are paying $3,200 more in household costs this year than in 2001, due primarily to rising energy costs and gas prices.
"Democrats have a New Direction for America, one that would end our dependence on foreign oil – and we intend to do it within 10 years. Our energy plan takes advantage of America’s untapped potential by increasing capacity of biofuels, promoting consumption of those fuels, expanding distribution, and advancing research and development for new technologies. Our plan will send our energy dollars to the Midwest, not the Middle East."
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
