As I meet with constituents across south-central Michigan, I hear repeatedly the concern of high gas prices. Folks are tired of paying high prices, frustrated by America’s dependence on foreign oil and baffled that Congress will not allow an increase in American energy production.

Right now most American families are giving up nights eating out at restaurants or family vacations in order to cover the rising cost of gasoline. If Congress does not take action soon, families will be giving up much more in the very near future.

Despite gas prices at levels previously only seen in Europe, the majority party’s leadership in this Congress refuses to increase American energy production. Instead, Speaker Pelosi and leading House Democrats would rather increase taxes on domestic energy production and increase our reliance on OPEC. If Democrats don’t bring these meaningful solutions to the floor for the up-or-down vote Americans deserve, we will attempt to force them.

I filed a discharge petition today to force a vote on the No More Excuses Energy Act and am inviting all my colleagues to sign it. We need Democrats and Republicans in this effort, and we need bipartisan solutions to our energy crisis.

High gas prices are affecting families, truckers, farmers, small business owners, emergency services and numerous other entities across America. The time for political rhetoric has passed, and with $4 gas, the time for action is now.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 at 1:29 pm and is filed under Politics, Energy/Environment .