House Republicans are planning a new push to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration, even as Democrats blame high gasoline prices on corporate greed.
The escalation in rhetoric came as oil prices inched above $74 per barrel on Tuesday, nearing the all-time record of more than $75 that was set last month. Meanwhile, the national average price of gasoline increased slightly to $2.92 per gallon for regular unleaded.
In response, House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Tuesday that Republicans would resurrect a plan to drill for oil and gas in the wildlife refuge in Alaska. Republicans will also introduce legislation today that would ban price-gouging by oil companies and encourage expansion of gasoline refineries.
“House Republicans are taking important steps this week to help address high energy prices,” Boehner said. “Democrats should join our efforts.”
But Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said Republicans have long ignored his calls for legislation against price-gouging by oil companies.
“For eight months, Republicans in Congress have stonewalled,” he said. “Up until today, Republicans have simply put forth shallow imitations of Democratic ideas and returned to their old standby: drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
“The simple fact is this: As gas prices climb, Republicans have been shamed into having to do something, but they are still are out of ideas.”
Boehner said Democrats like Stupak and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California are the oneswho have ignored the looming energy crisis.
“Democrats can’t hide from their chronic negligence of addressing America’s energy needs,” he said. “By constantly opposing responsible policies that would have increased American energy supplies and lowered gasoline prices, one has to wonder what it takes to get Democrats engaged in this critical issue.”
Pelosi countered, “We are living in a new era of robber barons. The American consumer is paying record prices, while oil companies make record profits and make record contributions to Republicans.”
