On the recordJuly 30, 2010
The Republicans are at it again-- apologizing for Big Oil against the interests of the American people. The fact of the matter is that House Republicans were for a conservation fee before they were against it, and now they're coming to the floor today and accusing the majority of all of these huge tax increases, but they are opposed to the CLEAR Act. House Republicans voted for a $9 conservation fee in energy legislation sponsored by the former Republican Congressman, now Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal. That vote was on June 29, 2006. I have it here: 192 Republicans voted ``yes'' for a $9 conservation fee, and 155 Democrats voted against it. What is the difference between then and now? I'll tell you the difference. The Democrats' fee is smaller and Big Oil is richer. That is the difference. The House has passed similar conservation fees with Republican support four different times since 2007, and I could list them. The fact of the matter is the conservation fee will have no impact on the prices at the pump. As we all know, the prices at the pump are determined by the world market. The $2 per barrel fee will be paid for by Big Oil, not by the American consumer. So I respond by saying the Republicans' raising this conservation fee as a tax increase is simply not true.
