Frank Pallone: “House Republicans are making a mockery of the House floor this week. They are bringing up at least four pieces of…”

“House Republicans are making a mockery of the House floor this week. They are bringing up at least four pieces of legislation they claim will address our Nation's energy needs and begin the process of lowering prices at the pump but the American people should not be fooled. Over the past 3 years, the Bush administration and congressional Republicans have done nothing to help consumers who are now struggling to pay higher gas prices. Instead, the Bush administration is in the pocket of the oil and gas companies and House Republicans are doing their dirty work. Mr. Speaker, Republicans are claiming the energy legislation they passed last year which we are again voting on this week will provide some much-needed relief at the pump. What Republicans will not say is that a study from the Energy Information Administration concluded the Republican bill would actually increase the average gasoline price by three cents per gallon. Congressional Republicans and the Bush administration are not interested in lowering gas prices. One might ask why, and that is because high gas prices mean high profits for big oil and gas companies. In fact, it was the executives at these very companies that worked in secret with Vice President Cheney in crafting the Republican energy bill that Republicans are now touting this week.”