Ed Markey: “our hearts go out to all of the victims in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi; and we in Congress stand committed to…”

“our hearts go out to all of the victims in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi; and we in Congress stand committed to ensuring that we rebuild each of those families' hopes and dreams. But, unfortunately, during this time of crisis, I am very, very concerned that the American driving public is being gouged at the pump by Big Oil and by OPEC, which has been taking advantage of this crisis in our country. I am very concerned that Big Oil is exploiting this tragedy by tipping consumers upside down at the pump and shaking money out of their pockets. This is no time to take advantage of the American consumer. This is a time for the oil companies, as well as OPEC, to rally to the protection of the American consumer and the American economy. We have all been disturbed by the television footage of looters ransacking stores and homes in New Orleans, but it also appears that Big Oil is engaging in widespread looting as it runs up the price of gasoline paid by the driving public. We need action by this administration. They have to make it clear that they are going to put in effect immediately investigations, put investigators in the field, in the board rooms, to make sure that people understand that this kind of exploitation of the American consumer will not be tolerated.…”