Cornyn Makes Several Stops In East Texas

Press Release

Cornyn Makes Several Stops In East Texas

Discusses Need To Boost Domestic Energy Exploration To Bring Down Food And Fuel Prices

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, made several stops in East Texas today. In Tyler, he met with local leaders at Brookshire Grocery Company's warehouse to discuss solutions to address rising fuel and food prices increasingly affecting East Texas consumers, families and small businesses. In Nacogdoches, Sen. Cornyn was honored by the Chamber of Commerce with their Spirit of Enterprise award for his commitment to policies that help expand economic development and opportunity. He also addressed the 57th Annual East Texas Peace Officer's Association Conference (ETPOA), where he recognized the valuable work of the ETPOA and discussed efforts on the federal level to complement their hard work through increased resources and crime-fighting tools.

"I had the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of constituents in East Texas today and hear directly from them on the top issues facing their families and businesses. Overwhelmingly, the chief concern I heard about today and in recent weeks from Texans across the state is the burdensome price of gasoline.

"In the Senate, I've been working to pass measures that boost domestic energy exploration. Our country is rich in natural resources that have yet to be refined - supplies that have the potential to fuel our nation's energy needs and significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Unfortunately, partisans in the Senate have stood in the way of these common-sense steps to bringing down energy prices.

"I will continue working to break the partisan gridlock in Congress on this and many other issues that have a direct impact on East Texas families and businesses, including better access to health care, the extension of critical tax relief, and better care and benefits for our veterans and active duty military personnel."

Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored a new bill last week to address record gas prices and provide a balanced approach to America's long-term energy needs. Sen. Cornyn has been pushing for action in Congress on this critical issue, but even as families in East Texas and across the state pay approximately $4 a gallon for gasoline, some in Congress have repeatedly blocked initiatives to boost American energy production. The new Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 allows for increased innovation and energy exploration on the Atlantic and Pacific Outer Continental Shelves and in western shale areas.

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