WASHINGTON – The following statement regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s report on 2006 gas prices may be attributed to Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI):

     “The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) report today is further proof that the Bush Administration will ignore the evidence and distort the facts to protect Big Oil companies.   As FTC Commissioner Leibowitz noted in his dissent, ‘the question you ask determines the answer you get.’  It appears the Bush Administration’s FTC has no intention of asking the right questions.
 
     “The fact remains that last year, when the Federal Trade Commission examined price gouging under definitions supplied by Congress, the Commission found evidence of gouging by refiners and other disturbing activity by Big Oil companies. 
 
     “It is an interesting coincidence that the FTC would release this flawed report just as the media reports that Big Oil companies are restricting refinery output in advance of the Labor Day weekend when millions of Americans will fill up their gas tanks and hit the road.  Just like they did this past spring, the Big Oil companies appear to be restricting refinery output in order to gouge consumers at the pump.  Meanwhile, rather than protecting consumers, the Bush Administration makes excuses for Big Oil. 
 
     “I will continue working with my colleagues to send my gas price gouging bill to the President’s desk.”