As Pelosi Premium Reaches All-Time High, USA Today Reports: "Gas Prices Rattle Americans"

May 09, 2008 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- -- HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER ALERT

AS PELOSI PREMIUM REACHES ALL-TIME HIGH, USA TODAY REPORTS: "GAS PRICES RATTLE AMERICANS"

REPUBLICANS OFFER PLANS TO INCREASE ENERGY PRODUCTION, SUSPEND THE FEDERAL GAS TAX THIS SUMMER

May 9, 2008

Gas prices have soared from a $2.33 per gallon average on January 4, 2007 - Rep. Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) first day as House Speaker - to a record high of $3.67 per gallon today, according to AAA. So just what will it take for Speaker Pelosi to finally reveal her long-promised "commonsense plan" to lower gas prices"

*$5 per gallon gasoline?

*Long and angry lines at gas stations?

*A return of the malaise that became the trademark of the Carter years?

These are the questions the American people are begging the Speaker and her Democratic colleagues to answer, but so far, all they've gotten is rehashed rhetoric about hollow legislation that won't do anything to bring down gas prices. And so they wait.and suffer from skyrocketing prices at the pump.

The cover story of this morning's USA Today, titled "Gas Prices Rattle Americans," details the harsh impact the Pelosi Premium - up to a record high of $1.34 this morning - is having on American families:

"Americans worry that steep gas costs are here to stay: eight in 10 say they doubt today's high prices are temporary, the poll finds. It's the first time such a large majority sees pricey gas as a long-term problem."

"Dawn Morris, a consultant in Dover, Del., is blunt about how gas prices are affecting her family."

"'It's killing us,' she says. She and her husband often stay home on weekends, and when she balances her checkbook, 'every third line it says gas: $20, $30, $50.'"

The Morris family's situation reflects the difficulties faced by millions of American families across the country, and with summer right around the corner, matters are only going to get worse. Families may be starting to rethink their summer vacation plans. Weekend trips to see family and friends may be in jeopardy. And anxiety is building.

To help ease the pain on American families and small businesses, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee, yesterday introduced the Gas Tax Relief and Earmark Moratorium Act (H.R. 5995). The legislation would suspend the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax this summer and provide a corresponding freeze on all taxpayer-funded earmarks to ensure the Highway Trust Fund is not impacted. Savings from the earmarks freeze also would be applied toward deficit reduction. The proposal represents a win-win situation for American taxpayers, according to House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) :

"Since Democrats refuse to lead on gas prices and earmark reform - top priorities of the American people - Republicans will. The commonsense plan unveiled [yesterday] by Rep. Ryan helps bring down gas prices by eliminating the federal gas tax during the summer months so American families can take their summer vacations with less strain on their budgets. To ensure the Highway Trust Fund is not impacted, our plan establishes a freeze on taxpayer-funded earmarks. For far too long, taxpayers have been footing the bill for billions upon billions in wasteful Washington spending that our nation neither needs nor can afford."

Interestingly, as Ryan, Boehner, and other House Republicans support eliminating the federal gas tax during the summer months, senior Democrats, including Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) and Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), have actually proposed raising the gas tax! Can there be a starker contrast between congressional Republicans and Democrats when it comes to taxes - and "commonsense plans" to bring down gas prices?

While the GOP proposal will provide families and small businesses some relief this summer, both parties still have the responsibility to work together on other responsible measures to lower energy costs. House Republicans have offered a comprehensive proposal to bring down gas prices by increasing production of American-made energy in an environmentally responsible way. With gas prices showing no signs of falling anytime soon, it's time for the Democratic Majority to join Republicans in supporting this long-overdue approach. America can't afford the Pelosi Premium !

Republican Leader Press Office

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)

H-204, The Capitol

(202) 225-4000

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