WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps voted for several key measures to provide American families with relief by addressing high energy costs.  The bills are part of the Democratic-led Congress’ continuing efforts to move American in a new direction when it comes to energy independence through enhanced energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.

“Throughout the Central and South Coasts and across the country, Americans are suffering due to record prices at the pump,” said Capps.  “These sky-high prices are due in no small part to President Bush’s drill happy energy policy over the past eight years, now being embraced by Senator McCain.  As the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans continue to push a failed energy policy, Democrats in Congress continued to take action to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency and crack down on the big oil companies, price gougers, and speculators that are helping to drive up energy costs for consumers.  I was proud this week to stand up for American consumers by backing legislation that will crack down on price gougers and Wall Street speculators who experts say are driving up the price of oil and gas; force oil companies to drilling the undeveloped oil leases they’re sitting on; and make public transit more affordable and accessible.  These are common sense measures that will lower energy costs far faster than more drilling in our pristine coastal areas.”

Bills considered on the House floor yesterday and today included:

The Energy Price Gouging Prevention Act (H.R. 6346), which would encourage the investigation and punishment of those who artificially inflate the price of gasoline and diesel fuel.  The bill establishes criminal penalties for price gouging, and permits states to bring lawsuits against wholesalers or retailers who engage in such practices.  The legislation also gives the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and punish companies that artificially inflate the price of energy.  Congresswoman Capps joined nearly all Democratic Members and 51 Republicans in supporting the legislation.  Unfortunately, the bill failed to garner the necessary 2/3 support for passage due to a lack of Republican support.  The final vote was 276 to 146, and the legislation could be voted on again following the July 4th recess. 
The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6052). The bill gives grants to mass transit authorities to reduce public transit fares, giving consumers a cost-effective alternative to $4.00 plus per gallon gasoline.   The bill’s $1.7 billion in mass transit grants for the next two years could also be used to expand transit services and for the escalating operating costs of public transportation and would be available to both rural and urban areas. The bill was approved by a vote of 328 to198.       

The Energy Markets Emergency Act (H.R. 6377). The legislation directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to use it full authority and most potent emergency tools to curtail excessive speculation and other practices distorting the energy market. Rampant speculation has been cited as one cause of the spike in gas prices. The bill was approved by a vote of 402 to 19.

The Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act (H.R. 6251). The  “Use it or Lose it” legislation forces oil companies to produce oil and gas, or diligently develop, the 68 million acres of public land they already have leased, but are not using to produce energy. Unfortunately, the bill failed to garner the necessary 2/3 support for passage due to a lack of Republican support.  The final vote was 223 to 195, and the legislation could be voted on again following the July 4th recess. 
Prior to this week’s votes, Democrats had taken action to make America more energy independent and bring down the cost of gasoline.  The Congress passed legislation that has been signed into law to suspend the filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve from June 30th through the end of the year, creating more supply and potentially putting the brakes on higher prices. The Congress also passed legislation as part of the Farm Bill, voted into law over the President’s veto, to begin closing the “Enron loophole” that allows unregulated trading of energy futures and is cited as a prime cause of the recent runup in oil prices.  The House also approved the Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act of 2008, giving U.S. authorities the ability to prosecute anticompetitive conduct committed by international cartels, like OPEC, that restricts supply and drives up prices. 

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.