The “Pelosi Premium” On Rising Gasoline Prices
I’m glad the Republicans cornered her on the prices:
House Republican leaders on Tuesday challenged Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to release a plan to lower gas prices that they say Democrats touted when they were in the minority.
“Two years ago this week, you stated that House Democrats had a ‘commonsense plan’ to ‘lower gas prices,’ ” the letter said. “In light of the skyrocketing gasoline prices affecting working families and every sector of our struggling economy, we are writing today to respectfully request that you reveal this ‘commonsense plan’ so we can begin work on responsible solutions to help ease this strain.”
The letter is signed by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), Policy Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) as well as other members of leadership: Reps. Kay Granger (R-Texas), John Carter (R-Texas), Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Eric Cantor (R-Va.).
In a press release dated April 24, 2006, Pelosi said, “Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices by cracking down on price gouging, rolling back the billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies, tax breaks and royalty relief given to big oil and gas companies, and increasing production of alternative fuels.” The letter cited policies put in place during the GOP control of Congress that the Speaker claimed had raised prices on American consumers to benefit oil companies.
The House GOP leaders’ letter points out that the price of gasoline has spiked $1.18 since Democrats took over in January and stands at $3.51.
“Once a nightmare scenario, $4 gasoline is now a very real possibility of becoming a summer staple,” the letter stated. “In some cities, including San Francisco and Chicago, it is already a startling reality.”
Pelosi’s office did not respond immediately for comment.
This is a fair criticism. She has had control of the House for 15 months and the prices have skyrocketed. Sadly, her solution entails litigation rather than action to help the consumer:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, under fire from House Republicans for failing to contain rising gas prices, is appealing to President Bush for help.
In a letter today, the California Democrat asks Bush to direct the Justice Department to investigate oil cartel price-fixing, authorize the Federal Trade Commission to pursue and punish “price gougers,” end tax breaks for oil companies and invest the savings in renewable energy.
“Lastly, your administration must use the authority given to it by the Congress to end market manipulation,” Pelosi writes. “We cannot wait to act in the face of these price increases.”
The letters appears to be a response, of sorts, to a campaign by the House Republican Conference accusing Democrats of breaking a promise to contain gas prices. Yesterday, they were calling the increase at the pump since Democrats took control of Congress last year the “Pelosi Premium.”
Democrats say Republicans are blocking their efforts to wean America of foreign oil.
The tax package (HR 5351), which passed 236-182, repeals subsidies for five major oil and gas companies to offset $13.7 billion of the $18.1 billion in renewable-energy tax breaks contained in the bill. The oil companies were just in front of Congress, no one thought to ask? The Attorney General of individual states have the authorization to go after price-gougers. In short, she wants to blame Bush for her failure. I can’t blame her for not wanting to look in the mirror.
H/T to MM
April 22, 2008 - 08:09 PM on April 22nd, 2008
Democrites/Leftists/Envirowhackos/RINOs = $4 gasoline.
April 22, 2008 - 08:32 PM on April 22nd, 2008
[...] admin@peakoil.com [...]
April 22, 2008 - 08:38 PM on April 22nd, 2008
Truer words were never spoken, and I might add that is a great picture of Pill-osie. She is a hard pill to swallow. She needs to get the boot, and to think her little man didn’t win PA today. She needs to be history, like him. Such a royal_______ mess. No I didn’t say the B word. Can’t insult sweet female dogs like that! Pill-osie is all empty talk that’s full of hot BO air. She cares nothing about the environment, not sure what her gig is?? Narcissist like Michelle, guess they know what they are doing, no one else does, or cares! Do any of these lefties even have a real solution? I’ll answer that. NOOOOO! and they never will.
April 22, 2008 - 08:51 PM on April 22nd, 2008
WHERE Indeed is Nancy Pelosis’s plan to lower gas prices?
Perhaps it could be secured in Al Gore’s Lockbox, along with:
Ted Kennedy’s long record of sterling ethics
Barack Obama’s debate prowess
Hillary Klinton’s conscience
Michael Moore’s diet plan
John Kerry’s endorsement from the VFW
Bill Klinton’s core values
Thereza Heinz-Kerry’s brain
Mayor Ray Nagin’s management expertise
April 24, 2008 - 08:20 AM on April 24th, 2008
Then drill in the ANWR and tell the enviroweenies to GO TAKE A HIKE and we should quit donating to the greens and tell them to GO FEED YOURSELVES TO THE POLAR BEARS, KILLER WHALES AND SKUAS
May 20, 2008 - 02:23 PM on May 20th, 2008
Can any of you explain what a legislator can do about the global price of gas?
Didn’t think so…
May 20, 2008 - 03:38 PM on May 20th, 2008
Stop legislating stupidity and allow us to use our own resources for gasoline until we are ready to stop using gasoline..that would be a good start
May 20, 2008 - 03:49 PM on May 20th, 2008
#6 a lot:
1. Start exploring and developing our own resources, asafp.
2. Fast-track nuclear power. This will free up huge supplies of natural gas and make that available as LPG for transportation, replacing some of the gasoline.
3. Initiate a Manhattan Project for the development of fuel cells and the Hydrogen infrastructure needed to replace gasoline.
That’s for starters…
May 20, 2008 - 05:43 PM on May 20th, 2008
Just curious what your tune was 2 years ago when Pelosi wasn’t in charge.
btw, good list.
David
May 20, 2008 - 07:15 PM on May 20th, 2008
Drill in ANWR and screaming..that just about covers it
May 20, 2008 - 07:25 PM on May 20th, 2008
We’ve been beating the drum for this here for at least 2 years ago. imo every administration since 1972 (first Arab oil boycott) has ultimately failed America on this.
Pelosi, Reid and the current Congress: arguably the worst ever. Utterly useless.
May 20, 2008 - 08:11 PM on May 20th, 2008
Robert – Agreed…long term failure.
As I understand, another component of gas prices still has to do with refining capacity which hasn’t been added to in over a decade and some still off line from Katrina.
David
May 20, 2008 - 09:25 PM on May 20th, 2008
“Pelosi, Reid and the current Congress: arguably the worst ever.”
———–
No, that honor would go to the LAST Congress…you know, the one that was removed from power by the voters in both the House AND Senate.
So far THIS Congress has actually GAINED seats for the Democrats, with three recent additions.
It is illogical to suggest that a Congress that is gaining more and more seats could be called “the worst”.
May 20, 2008 - 10:24 PM on May 20th, 2008
So gaining seats for the Democrats equals a successful Congress? I’t talking about accomplishments for America, not party goals.
Has this Congress accomplished anything useful for America? I don’t see it.
WORST Congress I have seen.
May 20, 2008 - 10:48 PM on May 20th, 2008
“Has this Congress accomplished anything useful for America? I don’t see it.”
————–
Nope, still illogical.
Apparently plenty of people want Democrats in control in Congress rather than Republicans.
How could they be “the worst” and yet still be popular enough to win more and more seats and expand their hold on power?
Yeah, you just don’t like Democrats. That’s fine, but you can’t just make up “facts” and get away with it!
May 20, 2008 - 11:02 PM on May 20th, 2008
Unbelievable…this is all a popularity contest to you? That’s your definition of a successful Congress?
Un-freakingbelievable…
May 20, 2008 - 11:04 PM on May 20th, 2008
And you are correct. I do not like Democrats. Today’s DemokRat party is the official party of degeneracy, treason, perjury, and blame America first.
May 31, 2008 - 10:18 PM on May 31st, 2008
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