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Cleaver Decries Special Interest Energy Bill, Part II

Date: Oct. 7, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Energy


CLEAVER DECRIES SPECIAL INTEREST ENERGY BILL, PART II
October 7, 2005

Supports Substitute to Offer Real Relief at the Gas Pump

(Washington, DC)-Today, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II decried a harmful energy bill (H.R. 3893) passed by Republicans in the House of Representatives that does nothing to lower gas prices for consumers, is full of special interest provisions for the already profitable oil industry and eliminates critical environmental and public health protections. The bill passed by a slim margin of 212-210, and Republican leaders were forced to hold the vote open for over forty minutes in order to strongarm enough GOP Members into changing their votes. [RC Vote #519]

This is the second GOP energy bill passed by the House this year and the latest example of Republican manipulation of the recent tragedy in Gulf Coast. House Republicans have used the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas to justify their radical policy initiatives that do nothing to assist the very victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita they are exploiting.

"House Republicans have gone too far. Seven weeks ago, they passed an energy bill chock full of rewards for special interests. As if that were not enough, they are now using Katrina and Rita as an excuse to ram through yet another bill that disregards the best interest of America's consumer," said Congressman Cleaver. "Rather than providing real assistance to families filling up their cars, Congress is doling out a bonus round of subsidies for oil companies that are already experiencing record profits."

Rep. Cleaver voted in favor of a substitute offered by Representatives Bart Stupak (MI) and Rick Boucher (VA) that contains meaningful anti-price gouging provisions, lowers home heating costs in addition to gas prices and safeguards environmental standards and public health.

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"Republicans talk about easing the strain on consumer's pocketbooks. But when it comes down to it, their policies do nothing but pad the pocketbooks of their industry buddies," said Cleaver. "Americans are paying more and more every time they take their kids to school, visit the doctor or drive to work, and Congress should be passing legislation that actually provides meaningful relief."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo05_cleaver/PR7OCT05.html

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