Democratic Radio Address 4-26-08

[0:00] ..." Good morning I'm frank Lautenberg United States senator from mergers and this week the price of oil and gasoline both -- new record highs almost a 120 dollars per barrel of oil. And more than three dollars and fifty cents per gallon gas out these out of control prices. -- it hundreds of thousands of Americans are driving to work and spending too much of their day just earning back the costs of their commute. The American people deserve to know why this -- happen. When President Bush took office gas prices were less than half of what they are today and oil was less than 13. Then seven years ago. President Bush and"...

[2:04] ..." speculation and manipulation. We need to rein in traders who keep bidding oil prices higher and higher and -- the American people of but the bill. On top of these short term solutions we also need"...

[2:48] ..." lower energy prices turned the tide on global warming and strengthen our national security. And why we're doing all of that we'll be creating hundreds of thousands of good new jobs right here in America. Republicans"...

[0:00]" Good morning I'm frank Lautenberg United States senator from mergers and this week the price of oil and gasoline both -- new record highs almost a 120 dollars per barrel of oil. And more than three dollars and fifty cents per gallon gas out these out of control prices. -- it hundreds of thousands of Americans are driving to work and spending too much of their day just earning back the costs of their commute. The American people deserve to know why this -- happen. When President Bush took office gas prices were less than half of what they are today and oil was less than 13. Then seven years ago. President Bush and Vice President Cheney secretly invited executives from big oil and big energy companies to the White House to write our national energy policy. When we finally uncover the truth. We discovered. So no surprise that big oil helped write a law that guaranteed them billions and billions of dollars in tax giveaways while they set in motion. Disastrous economic and environmental policies that have served no one but themselves now. There hauling in record profits while we paid record prices. And their profits are coming out of our pockets it's long past time that change our national priorities. We know there is little hope that President Bush will suddenly wake up and see the light. But unfortunately his Republican allies in congress continue to stand by his side. With the oil and energy companies for the status quo and against the American people. Democrats are fighting hard for change and we've made real progress. We passed a new energy bill that begins to turn the tide by improving gas mileage for cars and trucks. Investing in clean renewable fuels and other smart energy steps such as improving. The energy efficient -- are buildings. But we also face the problem of market speculation and manipulation. We need to rein in traders who keep bidding oil prices higher and higher and -- the American people of but the bill. On top of these short term solutions we also need to face the long term problem of oil consumption. Our country burns 21 million gallons of oil every day. Two thirds of that oil is imported from unstable regions of the world run by governments who are not our friends. The long term solution to our energy crisis lies an alternative fuels and efficiency. And if we aggressively promote innovation and solar wind biofuels and geothermal power. We can help lower energy prices turned the tide on global warming and strengthen our national security. And why we're doing all of that we'll be creating hundreds of thousands of good new jobs right here in America. Republicans won't break with the status quo recently -- grip of big oil and energy companies is strong. And that's why we need you. To help us keep pressure on President Bush and the Republicans who are intent on rewarding their oil friends well they stick it to the American people. The stakes -- too high for that kind of cronyism and cynical politics. Democrats reject them and together I know we can solve this crisis I -- senator frank Lautenberg from New Jersey. Thank you have a great weekend"