John Ensign: “I wish to talk about gasoline prices and energy. Just a few years ago, this Nation was in the middle of an energy crisis…”

“I wish to talk about gasoline prices and energy. Just a few years ago, this Nation was in the middle of an energy crisis not unlike the one we are in today. Back then Nevadans were confronted with record prices at the gas pump, and this body did nothing to relieve their burden. When I joined my colleagues to demand that we explore our own domestic energy possibilities, the call fell on deaf ears. In May of 2007, I said that ``moving America toward energy independence needs to be more than a bumper sticker and a campaign slogan.'' Unfortunately, it remained just that. Campaign promises to protect our Nation's security interests remain on the campaign trail, and cheers at political rallies to increase America's energy independence are left behind with deflated balloons and forgotten confetti. Well, here we are. My colleagues on this side warned against what an unstable Middle East could mean for our gasoline needs. Yet, today, what are we witnessing? Turmoil in that region and escalating gasoline prices at home once again. Unfortunately, this time around, our economy is also in trouble. My State of Nevada has continued to suffer the most during this recession, and economists are not predicting a quick turnaround anytime soon. The problem with this new energy crisis is that a record number of people in Nevada and around the country are now without jobs and without homes.”