The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MIDDLE CLASS AMERICAN FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H5585 on June 19, 2008.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MIDDLE CLASS AMERICAN FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING
(Ms. CASTOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, middle class families across America are struggling with the rising cost of health care, housing and gas prices brought on by the White House economic policies of the last 8 years.
Unfortunately, Big Oil continues to have a stranglehold over our country's energy policy. The latest proposal from their allies in the White House and other prominent Republicans is to drill for oil just off of our beaches.
But oil companies already have access to 68 million acres that they are not actively tapping, and the administration's own Energy Department reports that opening up new areas would have no impact on the price of gas.
True leaders are working on long-term solutions to reduce our dependence on oil and gas, promote conservation and new renewable technology. This has been the fundamental failure on energy policy of the Bush administration, and now Americans are paying the price. Do not reward Big Oil's latest attempt to grab even more.
Join us in fighting harmful speculation in petroleum markets and our efforts to end the massive, wasteful taxpayer subsidies to big oil companies. Short-term political gimmicks are no substitute for real leadership.
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