G. K. Butterfield: “gasoline prices are once again on the rise. Over the last 2 weeks, prices are up by 14 cents, 40 cents higher than at…”

“gasoline prices are once again on the rise. Over the last 2 weeks, prices are up by 14 cents, 40 cents higher than at this same time last year. Americans are looking to Washington for relief, but no relief has occurred. That is because House Republicans rubber-stamped an energy plan that was written in secret by a Cheney energy task force, whose participants are still not known to the American people. Based on the final law, one can only assume that the American consumer was not represented at those closed-door meetings. The Bush administration, Mr. Speaker, has admitted that this energy law will do absolutely nothing to reduce the pain Americans feel when they fill up at the pump. In fact, according to the President's own administration, the final energy law will actually lead to higher gasoline prices. As gas prices increase in the coming weeks, the American people should blame House Republicans who rubber-stamped an energy policy written by and for Big Oil at the White House. ____________________”