Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, traveling across my district, there is one thing I hear about again and again, and that is gas prices. Whether it is at the grocery store or at the gas pumps, Americans are feeling the crunch. Skyrocketing gas prices are hitting hardworking families across my upstate New York district and across the country. Today, we will take one more step to bring down gas prices by cracking down on price gouging by big oil companies. The Energy Price Gouging Prevention Act would provide relief for consumers by giving the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and punish companies that artificially inflate the price of energy. The largest oil companies have seen record profits and record paychecks for their CEOs, while middle-class families struggle just to fill up their tank. It is time to hold them accountable. Under this bill, the Justice Department could impose criminal penalties of up to $150 million on corporations and jail sentences of up to 10 years to crack down on wholesale and retail companies charging unconscionable and excessive prices. Penalties from price gougers would go to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, to help families with heating and air conditioning bills.”