Congressman Jim Gerlach Radio Address
June 27, 2008

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TRANSCRIPT:

Hello. I’m Congressman Jim Gerlach, and I’m privileged to represent southeastern Pennsylvania’s 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As Americans prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, anyone stopping at a gas pump knows that this nation has a long way to go in its struggle for energy independence. Decades of relying on foreign oil from the Middle East and unstable regimes across the globe, while refusing to produce more of our own resources, has resulted in the average price of gas soaring past the 4 dollar per gallon mark.

Folks are frustrated with pumping more of their own paychecks into the gas tanks, and look to Congress for answers.

However, some in Congress believe the solution is higher taxes on American energy producers. As history has shown, though, that would only drive prices even higher. Any tax would be passed along to consumers at the pump, increasing the financial strain on hard-working, middle-class families who already are struggling. And worse, these Democrat-led tax hikes would discourage energy production here at home, making us less energy independent.

A large part of our energy solution lies off America’s shores beneath the Outer Continental Shelf. Vast, much-needed oil and natural gas supplies must be tapped in an environmentally responsible way – miles and miles away from our shores.

But we cannot start helping ourselves become energy independent until Congress allows more off-shore energy development. Americans understand this urgency, and so do my House Republican colleagues and I. In fact, an LA Times-Bloomberg Poll this week showed that 68 percent of Americans believe we should produce more of our own domestic energy resources.

Washington must take an all of the above approach to our energy policy. Innovation and conservation should also be part of our long-term strategy. Congress should pass legislation extending tax credits for entrepreneurs, researchers and others working to develop renewable energy sources.

Throughout this nation’s history, we have harnessed American ingenuity to rid ourselves of once incurable diseases such as polio and to invent computers small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. There’s no reason to believe that we cannot muster that same ingenuity to eventually find alternatives to fossil fuels.

Congress must stop its political posturing and get working on energy policies that advance domestic exploration, innovation and conservation. That is what the American people want and deserve, and this is what House Republicans are committed to delivering.

I am Congressman Jim Gerlach. Best wishes for a happy and safe Fourth of July and thanks very much for listening.