Congressman Paul Gosar Supports Legislation Targeted at Lowering Local Gas Prices

Press Release

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee voted, with the support of U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-01), to advance three offshore energy bills that would increase American energy production, thus addressing rising gas prices in the state of Arizona and across the county. H.R. 1229, H.R. 1230, and H.R. 1231, introduced by Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), are geared towards restarting offshore leasing, reversing the Obama administration's effective moratorium on new offshore drilling, and putting the Gulf Coast back to work. The three pieces of legislation move on to the full House of Representatives, where a vote is expected sometime in the next month.

The average price of retail gasoline in the United States has increase over 90 percent over the past two years. Last month, the average price for a gallon of gas in Arizona was at its highest level in 29 months. Today, Arizonans are paying over $3.60 per gallon according to recent data compiled by AAA.

"Rising gas prices are destroying local family budgets that are already stretched too thin," said Gosar. "My constituents are being hit by rising gas prices twice, once at the pump and then again at the store where he cost of items such as milk, eggs, and bread are skyrocketing because of the underlying fuel costs. In addition, rising gas prices have a significant impact on family travel during the summer season."

"Arizona's First Congressional District is home to countless popular vacation destinations such as the Grand Canyon National Park. If gas prices continue to soar, our local communities could be hit hard by decreased tourism and fewer visitors," Gosar continued. "Congress must take action to increase domestic energy production and relieve the burden of high gas prices for Arizonans."

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