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Stallings calls on GOP delegation to join Democrats and ease pain at gas pump

Contact:  Chuck Oxley   (208) 871-4976 (office)  

BOISE, Idaho – With gasoline prices soaring to $3.27 per gallon in Idaho heading into Memorial Day weekend, State Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings is calling on the Republican delegation in Washington to help ease the pain at the pump. [Source: AAA Fuel Gauge Report, http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/sbsavg.asp]

Yesterday in the House of Representatives, Democrats led the charge to pass the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2007 by a mostly party line vote of 284-141, defying a veto threat from President Bush. The bill would protect Americans from being gouged at the pump and set America on a path toward lower gas prices. The bill will impose tough new measures to investigate and punish those who are artificially inflating the price of gasoline. The Bush Administration's veto threat and the fact that all Idaho’s Republicans voted against the bill shows that the Republican Party remains beholden to Big Oil. 

"Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig, along with Representatives Mike Simpson and Bill Sali, should apologize to Idahoans for their refusal to join Democrats and to pass the anti-price gouging bill yesterday. They owe it to all Idahoans to hold the Bush Administration accountable and help lower gas prices. Democrats in Congress are keeping their promises and helping make America energy independent.

Democratic Governors across the country are investigating price gouging, investing in alternative sources of energy, and rolling back oil and gas subsidies. President Bush and the federal government owe it to working families to do the same, Stallings said.