Gibbons Giveaways

Statement

There they go again.

Shamelessly using Hurricane Katrina as the catalyst, special interests squeaked through what one member of Congress dubbed the "leave-no-oilman-behind" bill. The "Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005" is so outrageous it was barely approved on a 212-210 vote. The vote was left open 45 minutes beyond its approved time limit so Republican leaders could twist arms for the final few votes needed for passage - leaving many members chanting "Shame, Shame!" on the House floor.

Nobody had to twist Nevada's own Congressman Jim Gibbons' arm. Congressman Gibbons never saw a corporate giveaway he didn't like. His official website touts his vote as an important step towards reducing gasoline prices at the pump.

Let me tell you that this bill will do absolutely nothing to reduce gasoline prices.

Oil companies need government assistance like Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates needs food stamps. If Big Oil wants to build more domestic refineries, it doesn't need a handout from government which allows the corporations to impose their will on state and communities by overriding pollution and land-use standards. All the bill accomplishes is to trample state and federal laws that safeguard air and water quality and to ensure that oil companies can build refineries in a community that doesn't want a refinery nearby.

As Governor, I'll join other state leaders, the League of Cities, and taxpayer groups in fighting legislation like this and opposing Washington insiders like Rep. Gibbons who continue to favor big corporations over middle America.

Tell everyone in our network what you think is the best way to reduce gas prices at the pump in the web diary section of my website. There are some great discussions happening on a variety of topic posted there based on your email and letters.

We are building a new kind of campaign where every Nevadan matters and when we win this will be your victory.

Source