Oil companies outrage Democratic Senators

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) held a pen-and-pad briefing on the news of oil companies making record profits. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the oil companies are using their record profits to buy back their stock and make it more expensive, rather than make gas more affordable for American consumers. Schumer said the oil companies' record profits could do so much to lower gas prices, such as give $2000 to every American family. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said oil companies are trying to increase their profits while consumers suffer.

Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said the Republicans' agenda is the oil companies' agenda. Their push for drilling in Alaska will give the companies more acres to siphon profit from. Reid said the Republicans' persistent obstruction of all Democratic efforts to support renewable energy is "mind-boggling."