GOP Weekly Address 2/25/2012

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Texas) delivers the GOP weekly address this week. Just like the president they are addressing the issue of higher gas prices. According to Hutchinson, “”President Obama also noted this week that Americans are concerned by ‘the rising cost of gasoline.’ They certainly are. Gasoline prices have almost doubled in just three years — and it’s getting worse. Last February, the average cost of a gallon of unleaded was $3.17 per gallon — the highest February price ever. But this February’s average is $3.57 per gallon — and all forecasts are for prices to rocket above $4.00 per gallon during the summer driving season. Families and businesses will be devastated. President Obama’s own Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, has said, and I quote: ‘Somehow, we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.’ Well, this Administration is certainly trying their best to do that.” We could do more as Hutchinson points out, “we can do a lot more here at home to assure that we have the energy we need and to halt skyrocketing costs. But, President Obama’s policy has resulted in an unprecedented slowdown in new exploration and production of oil and gas. Offshore drilling permits are being issued at less than half the rate of the previous administration. The average number of leases issued on public lands is less than half than during President Clinton’s term. Not only will the slowdown in domestic production drive up fuel prices, it also takes away jobs from tens of thousands of oil industry workers.” Hutchinson wants, “the President to help get a bipartisan jobs bill through the Democrat-controlled Senate and for an energy policy that puts American workers and their families first.”