On the recordApril 17, 2012
I recently conducted a survey on my Web site regarding gas prices because I wanted to hear directly from my constituents how higher gas prices are affecting their lives, and I received over 880 responses. Henry, from Odon, Indiana, told me he owned a car wash, and when people are paying $40 extra for gas, they aren't paying for a car wash, affecting his small business and his employees. Rob, from Lynnville, Indiana, lives in a rural part of the State. He and his wife are forced to drive over 30 miles to get to work. A $1 increase per gallon of gas can cost them up to $2,000 extra per year. An overwhelming majority of responders believe we should expand our domestic oil production and become more energy independent. After paying $3.91 per gallon in Evansville, Indiana, last week, I agree. Since President Obama has taken office in January 2009, domestic oil production has decreased by 7 percent on Federal lands. In January 2009, gas was $1.83 per gallon. It's an average of $3.86 per gallon today. Under this administration, they have risen over 100 percent, the highest for any President. I urge the President and the Senate to act on the nine bills the House has passed to reduce energy costs and help reduce gas prices for all Americans. ____________________
