Consumers Paying at the Pump for Democrat Obstruction

May 17, 2007

Consumers Paying at the Pump for Democrat Obstruction

Washington, DC – As average central Ohio gas prices reached $3.26 per gallon, today Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Columbus) reminded Democrats of their failures to protect American consumers by stonewalling a number of common-sense measures last Congress to increase oil supply.

“Spiking gas prices act as a regressive tax, hurting those who can least afford it. They stifle economic growth and lead to inflated costs of goods and services for consumers,” said Pryce. “Yet last Congress, Democrats opposed each of our pragmatic efforts to increase energy supplies. And today, consumers are taking a beating at the gas pumps because of it. Americans are paying a dear price for Democratic obstruction.”

Pryce added, “Energy costs hinge upon the basic economic laws of supply and demand, and Democrats squandered countless opportunities to increase American energy production and lessen our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. We passed sensible measures to expedite the creation of new refineries, to ban price gouging, and to use environmentally-friendly means of exploring for oil reserves within America’s borders and on the continental shelf – each time, Democrats said no, and today consumers are stuck with the tab.”

During the 109th Congress, Pryce supported a number of House bills designed to increase domestic oil production and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Senate Democrats blocked each of these efforts from becoming law.

Dwindling Supply

American refinery capacity is 17 million barrels per day; America’s oil demand is 21 million per day.
Both China and India’s oil consumption is growing on average 8% a year.
No new oil refinery has been constructed in the United States since 1976.
In 1981, there were 324 refineries – today, there are 148.
The United States is the only developed nation on Earth that prohibits energy exploration on its own continental shelf.
Today, China, Cuba and Canada are drilling for oil 90 miles off the coast of Florida, while the U.S. is forbidden from doing likewise.

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