Americans should not have to choose between putting gas in the fuel tank and putting food on the table

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today issued the following statement after House Republicans took the floor today to discuss the increasing gas/diesel prices on the American people.

"In April 2006, Democrat House Leadership assured Americans they ‘have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices’, said Tiahrt. "Well, it is time for Democrat leadership to unveil that plan. Since 2007 when the Democrats took control of the House, gas prices have risen by 43 percent.

"Middle-class families are already facing a rising cost of living, whether through a spike in gas prices, the highest home heating costs in history last winter, or an increase in grocery bills. And now our small businesses and farmers are feeling the crunch as well. Americans should not have to choose between putting gas in the fuel tank and putting food on the table.

"We can no longer sit idle and watch the gas prices continue to rise. We need a plan. And that energy plan must include an increase in domestic oil refining. For this reason, I introduced The Refinery Streamlined Permitting Act. H.R. 2471 will help increase America’s refining capacity by streamlining the permitting process for new or expanding domestic refineries. The bill will require agencies to give high priority to refinery applications that would result in greater capacity, a cleaner-burning fuel, or a reduction in refinery’s pollution output. My bill will also require Federal agencies to more carefully examine the impact a proposed rule would have on energy supplies and provide that information to the public.

"It is my hope that the Democrat House Leadership will bring common-sense legislation like H.R. 2471 to the floor for a vote so we can begin to address long-term solutions for consumers who need relief at the pump."

Today on Capitol Hill a convoy of trucks drove around in hopes of gaining the attention of Congress on how the prohibitively high gas/diesel costs are negatively impacting their lives and livelihoods.

April 11, 2008
# # #