Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr.

Submitted exclusively to The Hill Blog

This weekend, millions of Americans thought twice before loading the family car for Memorial Day vacations.  A gallon of regular gasoline now sells for $3.79 at a gas station by my home in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Yet, Washington has done little to relieve ever higher prices at the pump.

Increasing American energy production is the single most legitimate solution to our energy crisis.  Responsible American energy production leads to more American jobs, more supply to lower cost and reduced dependence on foreign sources like Venezuela and the Middle East.  It is a win-win-win solution, but many Washington Democrats continue to oppose any increased American production.

Louisiana is a national leader in energy production.  Approximately one-third of all U.S. oil and gas travels through Louisiana, and the state ranks fifth for both crude oil and natural gas production.  My constituents understand the benefits of homegrown energy production and the stakes of continued reliance on foreign sources of energy. 

Last week, Congress approved a suspension on filling the strategic petroleum reserve.  This is a small start to increasing available supply, but the measure demonstrates increasing the quality is the most effective way to lower price.  Over time, we could accomplish much more.

Families in Southwest Louisiana and across the country are looking for solutions to the price at the pump, their healthcare costs and the housing slowdown.  Republicans have viable answers.  The American people are asking the Democratic leadership in Washington if they have solutions, because so far, we have not seen any.

Let’s work together to ease the price at the pump and decrease America’s dependence on foreign sources of oil.  That’s the sensible thing to do, and I ask my colleagues to join me.