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| House Passes Gas Price Gouging Legislation |
May 23, 2007 |
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Wilson Supports Giving FTC Authority to Investigate Price Gouging
Washington, DC – Rep. Heather Wilson, who has worked for federal gas price gouging legislation, today voted for the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act (H.R. 1252) which passed the House 284-141.
Wilson last week reintroduced the Federal Energy Price Protection Act (H.R. 5253) which passed the House overwhelmingly a little more than a year ago, on May 3, 2006, by a vote of 389-34. She voted for the price gouging bill passed today because it offered some protection for consumers and gives the Federal Trade Commission authority to investigate price gouging violations, although it is not as strong or as specific as the bill she advocated. She believes price gouging legislation is one piece of the puzzle as part of a balanced energy policy.
“The government doesn’t set prices, but we do have a responsibility to prohibit price gouging and unfair manipulation of the markets,” Wilson said. “Opportunists should not be able to reap ill-gotten windfall profits on the backs of America’s families, particularly when disaster strikes.”
Wilson supports a balanced, longterm energy policy for energy independence that must include:
· Consumer protection from price gouging.
· Exploration for energy.
· Conservation.
· Alternative energy sources, such as encouraging ethanol use and development of hydrogen fuel.
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