Durbin says Republicans mistaken on supply

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) says Republicans are making a fundamental mistake in analysis of supply and demand. He says Republicans plan to lower gas prices by leasing more of America to oil companies at bargain prices, allowing oil companies to make record profits. He says eight years, divided by two oil men, equals $4 gas. (0:46)
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Greene: High gas prices cause incentive to increase fuel economy

David Greene, a corporate fellow at the Center of Transportation Analysis, says that gasoline prices at $4/gallon provides a strong economic incentive to increase fuel economy for both car makers and car buyers. Greene explains that the U.S. needs to extend and simplify incentives for hybrid vehicles in order to raise new vehicle fuel economy and encourage the transition to more efficient electric drive systems. He also says that fiscal incentives for more energy efficient vehicles may be the most efficient policy for encouraging consumers to choose higher fuel economy and for encouraging manufacturers to invent and adopt advanced fuel economy technologies. (0:52)
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Winkelman says its time for America to “buy that ticket” and reduce gas demand

Steve Winkelman, the director of transportation and adaptation programs at the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), recalls a joke his grandmother used to tell him about a man who wants to win the lottery but never actually goes out and buys a ticket. Winkelman says that America needs to “buy that ticket” if the country wants to insulate itself from oil price shocks and protect its communities from the impacts of global warming. He also says that Americans have to remember to “ask the climate question” to figure out their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. (0:37)
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Dorgan jumping energy hurdles

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) says speculation is the cause of high oil prices, stating that solving excess oil speculation is the first hurdle in the United States’ quest for energy independence and that the market is currently “infested with excess speculation.” (0:54)
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Sen. Klobuchar says oil market a casino without rules

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) says there is no way to explain why gas has increased 25 percent in six months, noting that American demand has decreased and that a number of oil executives have said oil prices should be much lower given physical demand in the market. She quoted an expert who called the oil market “a gaming hall” and a “casino without rules.” (1:01)
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Dorgan taking first step in energy crisis

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) says some claim that there is a competition between ending oil speculation and drilling, reassuring that the Stop Excess Energy Speculation Act is the first step in helping to address America’s energy problem. (1:03)
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Expert defends American sovereignty

Mark Cooper of the Consumer Federation of America says that the United States is a crucial market for the oil industry and that Congress has the ability and right to regulate trade in the United States, saying those that disagree are asserting that the United States does not have national sovereignty. (0:47)
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Sen. Smith says these are 'tough times for American families'

At a hearing on saving for retirement, Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) says that these are tough times for American families. Smith says that with gas and food prices at a record high, it is difficult for families to pay for essentials. Smith attributes this to the reasons behind Americans making more hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) retirement funds.
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Dingell calls for lower gas prices now

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) says that the United States should search for more oil while conserving energy, but adds that both of these are long-term solutions and will not curb the current manipulation and speculation in the oil market. (0:29)
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Barton says US must drill for oil

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) says high oil prices have not resulted in the supply increase that should result, attributing it to the United States’ decision not to develop its own reserves. (0:32)
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Kerry says McCain is doing a "double talk dance"

In a conference call from the Obama for America press office, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Mayor Chris Coleman of St. Paul, Minnesota discuss the effect of John McCain’s failed energy ideas for Minnesota and America. Kerry spoke about John McCain’s “double talk dance” and how he has changed his opinion on many issues over the past few weeks. Kerry says that Obama is offering the right issues for the American people in finding new alternatives for gas, whereas McCain is just following the Bush doctrine of digging for oil. (19:58)
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Energy putting foreign policy in straight jacket

Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) says that the rise of oil prices is a major concern to American families and that the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee realizes the importance of energy security and its effect on the United States. (0:38)
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Democrats take partisan advantage in the Senate

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH.) says that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV.) is using partisan advantage to control the Senate. Boehner says that because Senator Reid can control what is brought to the floor, that he should bring up a new Manhattan Project. He says that Reid should let all the Senators offer their suggestions for dealing with demand, supply, and conservation. (0:42)
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McCain campaign: Obama "is out of touch"

In a conference call, republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's supporters criticize Barack Obama's recent comments on gas prices and tax policy. (10:27)
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Republicans blocking Senate debate

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) describes the Senate as “surreal” due to the actions of republicans and their refusal to allow debate on issues important to Americans. (0:46)
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1 in 6 Americans support drilling in Arctic

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) says Congress needs to increase domestic production of oil, a move supported by majority of Americans. (0:30)

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Obama avoiding most important issue

Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) says that Senator Obama has been avoiding gas prices and the economy and adds that republicans are “more than willing” to debate Obama on these issues. (0:45)
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Foxx: Government usually screws it up

In an interview with the Talk Radio News Service’s Dawn Jones, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) criticizes Congressional Democrats for their inability to formulate a plan to lower the cost of fuel and their unwillingness to entertain potential solutions to record high oil prices. Foxx advocates increasing the United States’ supply of oil by drilling in the ANWR, drilling for oil on continental shelves, and exploring alternative fuel options that use “everything but the squeal,” a reference to killing hogs. Foxx criticizes the Democrats actions as “fluff” and questions whether or not they understand the basic rule of economics. Foxx suggests that government lessen its involvement in the development of alternative technologies because “when government gets involved we usually screw it up.” (7:03)
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U.S. to Saudis: "If you don't help us, why should we be helping you?"

At a press conference following the vote on the Democratic proposal to stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) says that "we are saying to the Saudis that 'if you don't help us, why should we be helping you?'" He says that the relationship should be a "two-way street," and that although Saudi Arabia needs U.S. military arms, the U.S. needs Saudi Arabia to "cooperate, and not strangle American consumers." (0:25)
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Saudi Arabia needs to increase oil production to lower gas prices

At a press conference following the vote on the Democratic proposal to stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) says that Saudi Arabia is currently producing two million barrels of oil per day below its capacity. If it increased production by one million barrels, he said, prices would likely lower by 50 cents within a month or two. (0:36)


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