Speaker Hastert Continues to Push for Oil Companies to Help Americans at the Pump

To: National Desk

Contact: Ron Bonjean or Lisa C. Miller, 202-225-2800, both of the Office of House Speaker Dennis Hastert

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a release from the Office of House Speaker Dennis Hastert:

Announcer Intro:

This past week Speaker Hastert and House Republican Leadership put pressure on the major oil companies to re-invest their record-breaking profits in America's energy independence by building more refineries, and increasing production, helping to reduce the prices at the pump.

Speaker Hastert Sound Bites:

-- This past week the major oil companies here in America came out with their 3rd quarter earnings. And I'm sure as you can guess they were all very large.

-- This is America and Republicans don't believe in punishing success. But we are urging these companies to re-invest their profits back into America. Oil companies need to do more to inform the American people about what they are doing to bring down the cost of oil and natural gas.

-- Americans want to know when new refineries are going to be built. It has been 30 years since a new refinery has been built in the United States.

-- When is the Alaska pipeline deal going to be signed? ConocoPhillips has reached an agreement with the state of Alaska on the pipeline; Exxon and BP need to do the same. These companies need to invest in America's energy infrastructure and resources. We need to build the refineries and the pipelines to produce America's Power

-- House Republicans are doing their part. Earlier this month, we passed the Gasoline for America's Security Act to help ease the construction of new refineries and criminalize price gouging.

-- And earlier this year, House Republicans passed an energy bill that the President signed into law. It provided incentives for the new use of clean and renewable sources of energy like ethanol and biodiesel.

-- We have other resources of oil and natural gas - in ANWR, the Rockies, and other locations. House Republicans have acted to make these resources available.

-- We realize that gas prices have been at record highs. House Republicans will continue to do what we can to relieve that pressure for American families.

Announcer Tag:

House Republicans realize the problems that high gas prices cause Americans and they are running on all cylinders to try and relieve the situation, while the Democrat idea of raising taxes is quickly running out of gas.