U.S. CONGRESSMAN Steve Chabot 1st DISTRICT OF OHIO
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Chabot Delivers Gas Receipts from Local Drivers to House Speaker
Calls on Speaker to Schedule Vote to Ease Gas Prices
June 26, 2008

Washington, D.C. -- To illustrate the impact high gas prices are having on Cincinnati-area families, Congressman Steve Chabot today hand-delivered a number of gas receipts to the Speaker of the House that were sent to him by local drivers.  Chabot also presented a letter calling on the Speaker to immediately schedule a vote on legislation that could drive down the cost of gasoline and bring much-needed relief to consumers.

Last week, Chabot began encouraging constituents to send copies of their gas receipts to him.  He has said he will deliver the receipts to the Speaker's office each week until the House acts on substantive legislation to lower gas prices.

Chabot believes that a comprehensive approach is needed to address rising energy costs and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.  In the House he has voted to increase domestic exploration of oil, voted in support of anti-price gouging legislation, and supports efforts to increase energy efficiency and make renewable energy more prevalent and cost-effective. 

He has also introduced legislation with Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) entitled the No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act (NOPEC) to give the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission legal authority to bring an antitrust case against the OPEC oil cartel. The legislation passed the House last May, but has not been voted on in the Senate.  Chabot also recently introduced the Oil Speculation Reduction Act aimed at curbing excessive speculation in the foreign oil market.

The text of Chabot’s letter is below:

 

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House of Representatives
H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC  20515-0001

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

The people I represent in Cincinnati and throughout the First Congressional District of Ohio are fed up with the higher and higher prices at the gas pump.  I suspect that this is true in your San Francisco district as well.   Enclosed are gas receipts that some of my constituents have sent me to underscore their frustration with Congress’s failure to consider legislation that would boost domestic oil production and lower the price at the pump.

It is clear that our nation is in critical need of a comprehensive energy policy.  In my view, we must increase domestic oil production, continue developing renewable fuels, encourage the construction of nuclear power plants, streamline the refinery permitting process, provide incentives for improved energy efficiency and invest in the technologies of the future, like hydrogen fuel cells.

As you know, the price at the pump has doubled since the beginning of this Congress.   I strongly believe one way to lower the price is to boost domestic oil production – specifically by opening Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the outer continental shelf to environmentally responsible energy exploration.  Combined, these energy-rich areas contain billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas.

 As we look forward to the day when America no longer depends on the whims of OPEC nations to meet our energy needs, we must do everything within our power to become energy independent.  Oil is the energy source that currently propels our people and economy.  Until we can further develop cost-effective alternative energy solutions, we need more domestic oil production to help lower gas prices and move toward energy independence.  

Given the record price of oil, reflected everywhere -- from gas stations to grocery stores nationwide -- I am confident that Congress would approve legislation to boost domestic oil production.  We just need you to give us the opportunity to vote on legislation that would do so.


                                                                      Sincerely,
    

                                                                      Steve Chabot

 

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