Washington, May 9 -

Anyone who drives knows that record high prices at the pump are squeezing Iowa’s families to the limit.  Iowa’s gas prices now average more than $3.50 per gallon—an increase of 60 percent over the past year alone. 

We need immediate action to lower gas prices and lessen the strain high energy prices have put on our economy.  That’s why I believe we should temporarily halt shipments of oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is the United States’ emergency petroleum supply.  The government buys 70,000 barrels of oil each day to fill the SPR, increasing the demand for oil.

Some economists say putting a temporary halt to the filling of the SPR could immediately lower the cost of gas by up to 25 cents a gallon because the decreased demand would mean lower prices.

President Bush has the power to suspend purchases for the SPR—he most recently did it in 2005 after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck. 

Suspending the filling of the SPR is a simple step that would provide immediate relief for people across the country struggling with high gas prices.  If the President doesn’t act in the next few days, Congressional leaders have said the House will act on legislation to stop oil shipments to the SPR by Memorial Day.

It’s a good thing, too, because Americans can’t afford to wait.