the Reuters news service is reporting that Saudi Arabia, and their Foreign Minister specifically, have said in the last day or so they have not been contacted by the Bush administration over OPEC's decision to cut oil production once…

It seems to me what is coming in this country on this oil issue is a perfect storm. The combination of the fact this administration is unwilling to push OPEC over its production cuts, the fact the Federal Trade Commission is unwilling to…

it is time for the Bush administration to end its campaign of inaction on gasoline price hikes. Tomorrow, OPEC will vote on whether there should be additional production cuts, and this very morning, the Saudi oil minister said OPEC should…

I rise to reiterate how important it is that Congress and the administration act to protect the American people from rising gas prices. I call on the Bush administration to stop its campaign of inaction on this critical consumer issue…

I rise today to discuss a draft legislative proposal I have developed and am soliciting comment from people in my State to add 160,000 acres of new wilderness in the Mount Hood National Forest. The year 2004 is momentous for wilderness in…

I think the consumer is about to get hit by a perfect storm with the combination of failure to push OPEC... plus filling the strategic petroleum reserve. With these factors coming together, it seems to me a perfect storm is going to push…

gasoline prices are soaring to the highest levels ever and once again the response of the Federal Government is to do nothing. I have come to the floor today because I believe the gasoline consumer is about to be hit by a perfect storm, a…

It looks to me like powerful industries can essentially hotwire the regulatory process that weaken environmental rules.

I regret to say I am going to hold up his appointment until we get access to this information.

It looks to me like he is saying that the agency will not use the Freedom of Information Act in the future to deny Members of Congress access to information.

The Freedom of Information Act was never intended to justify withholding information from the Congress.

I find it very troubling and it is why I think that the agency seems to be writing a textbook case for how you weaken some of these environmental laws.

It is a dangerous problem, but it is also dangerous practice to enact an industry wish list into law.

It seems to me that the Administration is writing a new text book on how to promote foot-dragging on the most important environmental issues.

I am going to put a hold on your upcoming appointees until the agency is responsive on that question.

I have to tell you, I am very troubled by what has come out that indicates that essentially something like 12 paragraphs of what industry has proposed were essentially enacted verbatim.

I voted for Mr. Leavitt's appointment. I want to say that I am really disappointed up to this point.

I want to discuss the question of laying the foundation in this budget resolution for containing prescription drug costs. If you think about what happened in the Budget Committee, there was no topic that generated as much interest and as…

I thank Senator Conrad of North Dakota, and also thank Senator Nickles, whose staff has been working with me. Many Senators know last year we put a tremendous amount of effort in trying to get a bipartisan bill passed to get our forests…

At least you have given me an argument to go back to the Federal Trade Commission to use in terms of making the inquiry because to me, again, this is pretty obvious.

I just think it sure looks like the oil companies are using higher oil prices as an excuse to increase their refinery margins and pad the bottom line.

This Bakersfield closure does not smell right. It does not add up and it has great implications for the entire west coast market.

I would also urge that you undertake this investigation expeditiously to ensure there is sufficient time to take appropriate action before the refinery closure takes place.

But Mr. Chairman and colleagues, for the life of me, I cannot figure out why the Federal Trade Commission will do absolutely nothing to even investigate the Bakersfield refinery closure because this goes right to the heart of making sure…

Now, the oil companies say that it is not their fault, but I have released evidence indicating that the companies have deliberately curtailed refining capacity and increased their refinery margins, actions that boost gasoline prices higher.