Washington, D.C. – Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, R-Southwest Louisiana, today demanded Congressional action to help lower gas and diesel prices for Southwest Louisiana and the country.

 

“Liberal Democrats, including Speaker Pelosi, continue to talk about their secret solution for skyrocketing gas prices, but they fail to produce any answers,” Boustany said. “Raising taxes on American energy producers isn’t an answer to lower the price, so let’s look at increasing American production in a responsible way. Increasing supply will help reduce speculation and lead to lower costs at the pump.”

 

Boustany’s comments followed a Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on rising diesel costs. Trucking and shipping costs are passed on to consumers, driving up the cost of food and other goods. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of diesel fuel is currently $4.23. One year ago, the average national price was $2.91.

 

On April 24, 2006, Speaker Pelosi (D-San Francisco) announced in a press release, “Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices…” Yet since taking control of Congress, Democrats allowed no debate on increasing American energy production, and the price of both gasoline and diesel fuel has risen dramatically.

 

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