Reid calling for $6 billion in relief to gas consumers (Gas tax holiday)

[katinmn]

To be paid for by eliminating tax breaks and giveaways to Big Oil.
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I was at home in Nevada while Congress was in recess last week. Driving around meeting with constituents, I saw firsthand that gas prices were once again shooting up to unprecedented levels of more than $3 a gallon. These high prices are unacceptable, and they are a direct result of the failures of George Bush, Republicans in Congress and their buddies at the big oil and gas companies.

Today, Democrats proposed an amendment to provide immediate relief to consumers. The mendment introduced by Senator Menendez will provide more than $6 billion in relief directly to the merican people by eliminating the federal tax for both gas and diesel for 60 days. During the period of his gas tax holiday, the cost of gas will be reduced by $0.184 per gallon and the cost of diesel by $0.244 per gallon. We will pay for this tax cut by eliminating tax breaks and giveaways to big oil.

Senate Democrats need your help to show public support for this amendment. Show your support for the Menendez Amendment by becoming a citizen cosponsor today.

Become a citizen cosponsor today by visiting:

http://www.giveemhellharry.com/page/petition/gasprice

It was George Bush who promised during his first campaign that he would "jawbone" his family friends, the Saudis, into lowering oil prices. Yet every summer the price gets higher and higher. Why is your family paying more at the pump? The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights released a report last week concluding that in California, "corporate markups and profiteering are responsible for spring price spikes, not rising crude costs . . . as the oil industry claims."

Democrats want to address the problem directly, and our amendment will provide immediate relief to consumers. Senator Frist and Republican leadership believe there is no political price to pay for being in bed with big oil. Lets show them the truth. Fifty thousand of you signing up, as "Citizen Cosponsors" of this legislation would make a huge difference.

Become a citizen cosponsor of the Menendez Amendment today by visiting:

http://www.giveemhellharry.com/page/petition/gasprice

High gas prices hurt everyone. They lead to increased costs for food and place a heavy burden on those who commute to work. I receive hundreds of letters every week from Americans whose budgets are being stretched thin by skyrocketing prices. Gas is not a luxury for families--it is a necessity.

The fact is the big oil companies control the supply and know that families really have little choice in the matter - they literally have consumers over a barrel. While we are paying record prices, the oil companies are reaping record profits.

Help me reach my goal of 50,000 citizen cosponsors by visiting:

http://www.giveemhellharry.com/page/petition/gasprice

Thank you,

Harry Reid

[katinmn]

1. Cantwell called for an up or down vote on "gouging" earlier today

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1022709&mesg_id=1022709

[ProgressivePatriot]

2. This is a good idea, but...

I think the oil companies should make up the lost tax revenue.

[Ian David]

3. I propose a tax on owning, selling, trading or buying oil company stock

For the next sixty days.

How about a tax of $0.05 per share owned, bought, sold, traded, optioned or shorted.