Paul Tonko: “As oil and gas prices continue to rise, American consumers and businesses are facing sticker shock at the pump. The…”

“As oil and gas prices continue to rise, American consumers and businesses are facing sticker shock at the pump. The national average is $3.49, and the average in New York's capital region that I represent is $3.69. And yet, rather than take action to bring immediate gas price relief or create incentives to invest in clean energy alternatives that create jobs and grow our national security, the Republican budget would maintain our addiction to foreign oil. The Republican spending bill ignores energy efficiency, clean energy, advanced vehicle technologies, and loan guarantees. What does it leave in place, though? Billions of dollars in subsidies for big oil companies that they have claimed they don't need, especially as they make record profits. And what do we get by throwing billions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars at these big oil companies? Less money in our pockets to get to work and around town. Americans are better than the gasoline we put in our vehicles. It is time we wake up and realize it, and advance research and development.”