Pelosi Statement on Floor Action on Price Gouging Legislation

Pelosi Statement on Floor Action on Price Gouging Legislation

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on price gouging legislation scheduled for a vote in the House tomorrow. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) introduced legislation nearly a year ago to give the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and prosecute oil companies engaged in price gouging. Republicans voted three times against acting on Democratic legislation that would do this.

"Now that Republicans are running for political cover from skyrocketing gas prices, they are eager to flip their position and support legislation to stop price gouging. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and nearly a year after Democrats introduced price gouging legislation, we welcome Republicans finally joining our efforts to bring down gas prices.

"But Americans driving to work, or taking their kids to school can see that they can no longer afford the Republican Rubber Stamp Congress. The American people deserve a new direction - one that works for everyone, not just Big Oil.

"Instead of the record prices for gas and record profits for Big Oil, we could already have had laws on the books against gouging and excess profits. But the Republican energy policy has been about massive subsidies for oil companies already making historic and obscene profits, and nothing for the American consumer."

http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/releases.cfm?pressReleaseID=1540