Friday, May 27, 2011

As You Pump Gas, Remember Sherrod Brown

Release:
COLUMBUS - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine today urged Ohioans to "remember Sherrod Brown" when they fill up their gas tanks before they travel for Memorial Day weekend. 
    
"Sherrod Brown has refused to do anything to reduce America's dependency on foreign oil or relieve the pain Ohioans feel at the gas pump," said Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine.

"Ohio families who are fortunate enough to afford holiday weekend travel should remember when they fill up their gas tanks, that it's Obama's left-hand man, Sherrod Brown, who continues to prevent domestic energy reforms which could reduce gas prices and grow our economy."
    

Background Information:

Sherrod Brown opposed the Offshore Production & Safety Act of 2011, legislation that would restore domestic offshore energy production, create American jobs, and lower gas prices.  Brown's vote came on the heels of a recent USA Today/Gallup survey showing nearly 70 percent of Americans suffering "financial hardship" thanks to a national average of nearly $4-per-gallon gas.

Gas prices to limit travel over Memorial Day weekend: "According to the American Automobile Association, 'high gas prices are expected to limit auto travel and vacation spending this Memorial Day weekend.'" ("High gas prices to limit auto travel over Memorial Day weekend," Miami Herald, 5/19/11)

Businessmen say increased gas prices damage economic recovery: "Buffett and Welch both expressed concern that rising gas and food prices will hurt consumer spending.  Welch says the increase in gas prices sucked $100 billion out of the economy in the first quarter." ("Buffet, Welch say gas prices could hurt economy," Associated Press, 5/2/11")  

Gas prices lead to financial hardship for Americans: "As gas prices hover near $4 a gallon, nearly seven in 10 Americans say the high cost of fuel is causing financial hardship for their families, a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds. More than half say they have made major changes to compensate for the higher prices, ranging from shorter trips to cutting back on vacation travel. For 21%, the impact is so dramatic they say their standard of living is jeopardized. Nationally, the price of a gallon of regular gasoline averages $3.96. That's up 38%, or $1.09, from levels a year ago. In seven states, gas prices have passed July 2008s record of $4.11 a gallon." ("7 in 10 Americans Say Gas Prices Hurt," USA Today, 5/17/11)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce:"S. 953 would be an important step towards addressing domestic energy production. The bill would bring a much-needed end to the de facto moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration and could create tens of thousands of jobs, many for American oil and gas employees who have lost their jobs due to the moratorium. Moreover, the legislation would expand opportunities for firms to produce more energy in the U.S. in an environmentally responsible manner. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Letter To U.S. Senators, 5/17/11)

National Association of Manufacturers: "[T]he legislation will open more areas in the OCS for drilling which will expand the ability to explore and develop our domestic sources of energy more effectively. Increasing access to domestic sources of reliable energy, both onshore and offshore, is essential to the long-term health of American manufacturing. While investments in new energy sources and efforts to boost efficiency gains play critical roles in meeting our nation's future energy demands we cannot ignore the critical need to develop and utilize our domestic sources of energy." (National Association of Manufacturers, Letter to U.S. Senators, 5/18/11)