Published: 07-17-08
Continues to Seek Congressional Action on Skyrocketing Prices at the Pump
WASHINGTON—In remarks today on the Senate floor U.S. Sen. John Cornyn Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference expressed his disappointment with Congress’ inaction on gas prices as Democrats continue to obstruct attempts by Sen. Cornyn and Republicans to pass legislation aimed at lowering gas prices and addressing our energy security.
“I’m here to ask in the most respectful way that we know how for the Democrat Majority Leader in the Senate who controls the floor of the Senate to bring a bill to the floor that will allow us to deal with this national economic crisis and provide some relief to the hard-working families in Texas and across the nation who need some help. Because we know that high energy prices not only impact the quality of life and the economic welfare of hard-working people in my state and across the country. It has a ripple effect on the price of food and other commodities which are driving up inflation and threatening our economy. We need action.
“We know what is needed in order to deal with the energy crisis in this country…We need to address the law of supply and demand. Unfortunately we have encountered nothing but obstruction from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. As bad as people feel about the direction of the economy right now I believe it can only get worse unless Congress acts responsibly to deal with the causes of high gas prices.
“We’re imploring our Democratic colleagues to work with us to produce more American energy and bring down skyrocketing gas prices for Texans and all Americans….We need to act more and talk less. It is now up to the Senate Democratic Leader to allow us to act by bringing an energy bill to the floor.”
On Tuesday Sen. Cornyn joined members of the House and Senate GOP leadership in accepting the signatures of more than 1.3 million Americans who have signed a petition demanding that Congress increase production of American energy to help reduce gas prices. The petition was delivered to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi D-Calif. and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid D-Nev.
For more information on Sen. Cornyn efforts to reduce gas prices and bolster America’s energy security visit http://cornyn.senate.gov/gasprices.
