Byron Dorgan: “Let me make one additional point, if I can. It does not relate specifically to this amendment, but this issue of the…”

“Let me make one additional point, if I can. It does not relate specifically to this amendment, but this issue of the free market. You have an OPEC cartel behind closed doors. You have oil companies that are bigger through mergers. You have a futures market that is now rife with speculation. There is no free market. So the American people deserve, it seems to me, a Congress that will stand up and take some steps to put some downward pressure on gasoline prices. That is a step we can take today. It is a step that is not a giant step, but it is a step in the right direction that will put downward pressure on gas prices. It will help this country. My hope is, following this vote, we will see that both parties can contribute to something when we agree on it. I think this will be a good day to put downward pressure on gas prices.”