NH Democratic Chair Calls On Sen. Sununu To Join Democrats To Ease Pain at the Pump

CONCORD - With gasoline prices soaring to $3.02 per gallon in the Granite State heading into Memorial Day weekend, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley today called on Senator Sununu in Washington to help ease the pain at the pump for New Hampshire families. [Source: AAA Fuel Gauge Report, http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/sbsavg.asp]

Yesterday in the House of Representatives, Democrats led the charge to pass the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2007 by a mostly party line vote of 284-141, defying a veto threat from President Bush. The bill would protect Americans from being gouged at the pump and set America on a path toward lower gas prices by imposing tough new measures to investigate and punish those who are artificially inflating the price of gasoline. The Bush Administration's veto threat and the fact that most Republicans voted against the bill shows that the Republican Party remains beholden to Big Oil.

"I commend New Hampshire’s Democrats in Congress, Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes, who showed political will and tenacity in the face of veto threats to pass a bill that puts New Hampshire families first, I hope Sen. John E. Sununu to do the same" said New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Buckley. "Meanwhile, last week Sen. Sununu failed to even show up for a committee hearing regarding improving auto fuel economy. It’s frustrating to see New Hampshire families pinching pennies ahead of Memorial Day weekend while Sununu plays hooky. We need our leaders in Washington to demonstrate leadership and commitment to this issue, unfortunately John E. Sununu has shown neither.”

Sen. Sununu, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, failed to attend a hearing last week on fuel economy legislation that would set a target for raising fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This legislation would save New Hampshire drivers thousands of dollars, reduce harmful emissions and dramatically reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.

At present rates, these new prices are reaching deep into the pockets of the average New Hampshire family as this will cost the average New Hampshire family with two cars over $366.47 a month or about $12.22 a day. Meanwhile, Sen. Sununu has taken $172,130 from the oil and gas industry. [opensecrets.org] [factfinder.census.gov] [newhampsiregasprices.com]