Democratic Radio Address 7-19-08

[0:01] ..." United States senator patty Murray. Last Sunday I pulled into the gas station near my home in Washington State and paid four dollars and 45 cents per gallon. Just a year ago who could have imagined 445. For gas now sadly prices like this are reality for families all across America. We all know there's no simple solution to this crisis American needs a long term energy plan that reduces our dependence on oil. By investing in alternative fuels but there are reasonable steps we can take to reduce oil prices now. Recently you've probably heard about drilling for more -- is done responsibly. That's something Democrats support. Oil companies are already --"...

[1:13] ..." Texas and Louisiana that can be used in times of emergency. When President Bush's father tapped into the reserving 1991. Prices went down immediately. I don't know what President Bush thinks that four and a half dollars a gallon gas is an emergency for America's families when was the last time the president -- his own tank. In addition Democrats believe we must rein in Wall Street and traders who are unfairly driving up oil prices. With regard for nothing but their own profits some traders are bidding up oil prices by buying huge quantities of oil. Just to resell it at an even higher price. You see these traders never plan on"...

[2:22] ..." But experts agree the steps I've talked about should help to bring oil prices down and help families make ends meet. We hope that President Bush and senate Republicans would join us to reduce energy prices in the short term. In 2001. When President Bush took office gas was a dollar 46 gallon today in my state it's more than triple that. Clearly there's something wrong with"...

[3:59] ..." now are gimmicks and tired old ideas the status quo. With record gas prices and our economy spiraling deeper into recession. Democrats think it is long past time for a bold new direction. We hope that"...

[0:00]" Good morning this -- United States senator patty Murray. Last Sunday I pulled into the gas station near my home in Washington State and paid four dollars and 45 cents per gallon. Just a year ago who could have imagined 445. For gas now sadly prices like this are reality for families all across America. We all know there's no simple solution to this crisis American needs a long term energy plan that reduces our dependence on oil. By investing in alternative fuels but there are reasonable steps we can take to reduce oil prices now. Recently you've probably heard about drilling for more -- is done responsibly. That's something Democrats support. Oil companies are already -- 68 million acres of federal land which could nearly WS production they just aren't using it. That oil well drill itself. We believe it's time for the oil companies to use that land and to make sure that it stays in America instead of shipping it to the highest bidder overseas. Democrats are also think it's time to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve. Right now we have more than 700 million barrels of oil sitting underground in Texas and Louisiana that can be used in times of emergency. When President Bush's father tapped into the reserving 1991. Prices went down immediately. I don't know what President Bush thinks that four and a half dollars a gallon gas is an emergency for America's families when was the last time the president -- his own tank. In addition Democrats believe we must rein in Wall Street and traders who are unfairly driving up oil prices. With regard for nothing but their own profits some traders are bidding up oil prices by buying huge quantities of oil. Just to resell it at an even higher price. You see these traders never plan on actually using oil they -- They just keep barring it to inflate the price so they can make more and more many when they turn around and sell it. The problem is Stanley's like yours and mine are -- paying the bail out. For nearly eight years now the Bush Administration has turned a blind eye and let these questionable practices continue with virtually no oversight. Some experts say this kind of trading accounts for twenty to 30% or more of what we pay at the current. Nothing is certain in the -- markets. But experts agree the steps I've talked about should help to bring oil prices down and help families make ends meet. We hope that President Bush and senate Republicans would join us to reduce energy prices in the short term. In 2001. When President Bush took office gas was a dollar 46 gallon today in my state it's more than triple that. Clearly there's something wrong with these tired policies but there's a major difference between Democrats and Republicans on energy. Bush McCain Republicans have not come up with anything more than drill drill Andrea. Even John McCain recently admitted that his are assured drilling proposal has mainly psychological benefits. Our families don't need to feel better about spending four dollars and a half per gallon American families need real action against real results. That's right we need to get serious about investing in the clean renewable fuels that can power our cars homes and offices in the future. Wind solar and geothermal power are becoming more affordable every day. And every day American scientists and innovators and venture capitalists are researching new technologies that could one day. And our addiction to oil for ever we should fast tracked their efforts by making new investments and keeping their taxes. Democrats have repeatedly tried to provide tax credits for alternative energy but each time Republicans have said now. We've tried things the Republican way for nearly eight years now. And fortunately. We're hearing from them now are gimmicks and tired old ideas the status quo. With record gas prices and our economy spiraling deeper into recession. Democrats think it is long past time for a bold new direction. We hope that you -- to. This is senator patty Murray from Washington State thanks for listening and have a great weekend."