Senators to push for $100 gas rebate checks

[AGENDA21]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Every American taxpayer would get a $100 rebate check to offset the pain of higher pump prices for gasoline, under an amendment Senate Republicans hope to bring to a vote Thursday.

However, the GOP energy package may face tough sledding because it also includes a controversial proposal to open part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil exploration, which most Democrats and some moderate Republicans oppose.

Democrats are also expected to offer their own competing proposal, as members of both parties jockey for political position on the gas price issue.

The energy package, sponsored by Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa, Ted Stevens of Alaska, Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, will be offered as an amendment to an emergency spending measure now before the Senate funding the Iraq war and hurricane relief, according to a senior GOP leadership aide.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/27/gas.rebate/index.html

[Punkingal]

1. What jerks!

They can stuff it....that is nothing but an insult.

[annabanana]

2. $100?. . . . big friggin deal

fill the tank twice
whoopdie do

[William769]

16. Twice? Lucky you!

[salin]

3. joke - the ave increase in the past year = $.68 a gallon

that is an increase of nearly one-third. If one thinks of the 'rebate' as a payback just for the increase this would cover (for the .68 a gallon) for about 150 gallons. For many folks that really doesn't go far.

Moreover, unless the money to pay for the rebates comes directly from taxes on the oil companies this is simply taking money from other, already cash-strapped, programs ala robbing peter to pay paul.

Symbolic action that does nothing in the short or long-term to deal with the issue.

[zbird]

4. Just another way to try to push drilling in ANWR through.

Most Dems will reject the proposal because of ANWR drilling. Repugs will put forth that the Dems don't want to help the average American with rising gas prices. All just before the next elections.

[liberal N proud]

5. It gives the repukes who believe in them something to say

They can all run around and counter the complaints about high gas prices by saying that Congress gave you a rebate.
I can hear some of the morons that I know already.

[WePurrsevere]

6. Drop in the bucket... besides not everyone who is hurt by high gas $

have to file. There are probably others but the disabled & seniors who only get non-taxable income like Social Security and make under a certain amount in taxable income like interest don't need to.

[ClintonTyree]

20. It wouldn't help me at all........

I don't file, Social Security is my main income so I would get NOTHING! Of course the Repigs tacked ANWR on to it so it won't get passed anyway. The Democratic plan is better, take away BIG OIL'S tax rebates and suspend the federal gas tax for 60 days. At least that gives the market some time to come back to earth and helps everyone. Oh yeah, like THE RICH need another $100 rebate! :eyes:

[WePurrsevere]

28. It's our main incomeas well, that's how I know. It's one of the few pluses

... not having to file. B-)

You're probably right about it not passing due to ANWAR. The RepubliCONs tack that on every chance they get so they can say... "see how the big bad Dems voted against this GREAT bill" not stating (and the media not covering) that the reason they voted against it at all is because of the ANWAR BS being stuck on it.

The Dems plan makes the most sense so far to me as well. At least that way it "hurts" those OIL d'astards that are making windfall profits at the expense of avg folks and helps all who use gas equally. I know some think that removing the gas tax will encourage folks to use gas more and perhaps rightfully so BUT OTOH... many folks just struggling to survive NEED to use gas to get to work, get to the grocery store/doctors/etc and another benefit of gas being a bit cheaper is that many areas, small businesses and folks NEED tourism to survive let alone thrive.

IMO we need to concentrate on: alt transportation and alt fuels AND assistance for those who can't afford to "upgrade" to more earth friendly vehicles, heating, insulation. etc.

[SoCalDem]

7. It would probably cost MORE to send them out..

Just put a cap on what the oil companies can charge, and if they have a "privateer profit", confiscate it and use it to build state of the art refineries in about 6 regions of the country and make "region-specific" products..and be sure they understand that winter comes EVERY year, and so does summer..

The new refineries would/should be run by GOVERNMENT PAID employees..No more company-owned/operated refineries.. they have pretty well proved that they cannot seem to anticipate the needs of their customers.

[OhioChick]

8. 100 lousy bucks??? n/t

[kevinmc]

9. How would Limbaugh list this if Democrat Senator's came up with it......

.....would it be welfare, socialism, or trying to buy votes?

[flobee1]

11. Buying votes is exactly what it is!

Giving folks a hundred bucks(ripped from some other program)so they can drill for oil in a wildlife area.
If America accepts this, there is no hope

[distantearlywarning]

10. $100 - 3 weeks gas for my family

And we drive one very fuel-efficient car.

I imagine this would be pocket change for the average person. Probably 1 fill-up for the Hummer drivers out there. This is pathetic. They're going to sell our souls for $100.

[Skidmore]

12. Should make those who were happy with their $300 tax bonus

back when happy enough to keep voting for the party of greed.

[lakeguy]

13. that's an expensive bandaid

that will do absoultely nothing to solve the problem. just another vote buying scheme brought to you by our self-serving politicians.

[matcom]

14. That's GREAT

costs me $7 to fill the scooter. $100 will go a LONG way

:D

[jimshoes]

15. Make it $1.000.00 and

maybe we can talk. If they're willing to give up a hundred, they can afford to give up a thousand.

EDIT: On second thought, even a thousand is not enough and it solves nothing anyway.

[silverojo]

17. Only for TAXPAYERS?

In other words, screw the retirees on Social Security, the disabled on SSI/SSD, and people on welfare. No refunds for them!

[ClintonTyree]

21. Yep, that's me......

the people who need it the most wouldn't get it. Another great idea from our Republican controlled Congress. :eyes:

[meegbear]

18. The last times they gave us a "rebate", the economy tanked ...

smart move morans.

[iamahaingttta]

19. It's time to nationalize the oil industry!

Makes more sense than this crock of shit!

[Avalux]

22. What an insult. Do they think we're all morans??

As if we're supposed to get all excited and thankful about $100 bucks. IT'S NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ASSHOLES.

[hexola]

23. Another BushCo. Bribe..."Hush Money"

What is this? - "Hush money?

They used the promise of a 600 dollar tax cut to buy votes in 2000...

Shameless...

[lonestarnot]

24. Something like a tax cut egh? Nutt'n is nutt'n.

[sbj405]

25. Coming soon to a tv or radio ad near you in October &November

"Democrats voted against giving relief to taxpayers on high gas prices."

[JNelson6563]

26. Ok, here's the confusing part

Isn't *'s mantra for justifying tax cuts for his rich buddies something like "It's not the government's money, it's your money"? Of course there is no more money so it's now our debt.

So, Big Oil is raping everyone and making off with record profits and we, through our government, will incur more debt by giving ourselves $100 each.

Who came up with this brilliant scheme again? :shrug:

Julie

[OneTwentyoNine]

27. Yeah....so they can DRILL in ANWR........

Its never a free ride with those fucks,read the article. Rebate checks will be tied to drilling in Alaska. I'm sooooo shocked.....

[burythehatchet]

29. Republicans. Are. Idiots.

[newportdadde]

30. Tax Rebate or advance on future tax refund like the 300?

Thats the thing about the 300 a few years ago it was a load of crap. It was an advance on refunds you would have got anyways.

Anyways typical RW sleeze, give the peasants some crubs and the loaf of bread to big oil so they can sell Alaskan oil to Japan.

[TheFarseer]

31. I never got the $300

I probably won't get this for some reason! Look, I'm willing to be reasonable about drilling. IF they would introduce a bill that also included massive provisions for alternative energy research and a big hike in CAFE, then we can talk, but drilling in ANWR is not a real solution, just putting off the inevitable by 6 months or so.

[WinkyDink]

32. Asinine, insulting, ridiculous

[ProfessorGAC]

33. A Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound To The Heart

Stupid, useless, and pointless.
The Professor

[Roark]

35. Band-Aid on a Sucking Chest Wound....

I always thought that sounded a bit more, well, graphic.

I like yours too.

[ProfessorGAC]

34. Dupe

Darn it!

[lectrobyte]

36. Fuck the $100. How about digging into some of those windfall $36 billion

profits that Exxon made last year?

[SammyWinstonJack]

37. ROFL!

:rofl: :rofl: A hundred dollars? :rofl: :rofl: That will really piss people off, especially in light of that bloated Exxon CEO who received a 400 million dollar retirement package and the obscene profits the oil companies have been raking in. I hope they do it. :evilgrin:

[bigwillq]

38. Wow..so generous.

:eyes:


You need to do better than this folks.

[Paul1596]

39. Don't Forget

The hundred dollars will actually be more like seventy-five to eighty dollars. Anytime the Fed gives you a check it is considered income. So don't foget to claim it at the end of the year on your Federal and State tax forms.

[newyawker99]

40. Hi Paul1956!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: