Bart Stupak: “I rise today to commend the new Democratic leadership that will finally allow the U.S. House of Representatives to…”

“I rise today to commend the new Democratic leadership that will finally allow the U.S. House of Representatives to address high energy prices. Under prior Republican leadership in the House, the oil industry enjoyed years of record profits, record high gas prices and minimal oversight and price manipulation. Curiously, in September and October of 2006, just before the November elections, gas prices dropped an average of $.60 per gallon compared to the record high prices of last summer. This $.60 drop in gas prices occurred despite the fact that there were pipeline disruptions in Alaska and indications that OPEC would cut oil production. Department of Energy's statistics show us that while gas prices dropped an average of $.60 a gallon in September and October, the crude oil price only dropped 10 cents a gallon. If you listened to National Public Radio this week, you would have heard that there is evidence that the oil companies intentionally influence gas price fluctuations, and a $.60 drop was done just before the election to influence the November elections.”