On the recordMarch 8, 2011
I come to the floor of the Senate to discuss an issue that is critically facing the American people: It is the price of gasoline at the pump. It is something that, in my opinion, will impact our economy, impact the economic recovery we are all hoping will continue in this country. But with every penny the cost of gasoline goes up, it has been estimated it takes about a billion dollars away from the amount of money that can be spent on other things in this country and to growing the economy. We are at a point where the American people, who have to balance their budgets every year--and States have to do it, of course. Washington doesn't do that, but the American people do. They have to focus on their pocketbooks. When they are going to fill up with gas at the pump and are noticing that they are approaching a point where it is going to be $100 to get a fill-up, they worry about the impact on the quality of their life, their ability to put food on the table for their children, and clothing on their children, and even have the money to get back and forth to work--those fortunate enough to have jobs.
