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This Memorial Day, Wisconsin Drivers Can Thank John Gard for his Vote to Raise the Gas Tax

This Memorial Day, Wisconsin Drivers Can Thank John Gard for his Vote to Raise the Gas Tax

Congress Overwhelmingly Passes Dr. Kagen’s Bipartisan Bill to Hold OPEC and Big Oil Accountable for Price Fixing

With Wisconsin families and businesses suffering pain at the pump, Congress this week overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation by a margin of 324-84 sponsored by Dr. Steve Kagen to crack down on big oil companies for engaging in price fixing. Kagen’s leadership on this issue is in stark contrast to career politician John Gard – who voted to raise the gas tax on hardworking Wisconsin drivers while pocketing more than $44,000 in campaign contributions from big oil companies who are making record profits.

“As we kick-off the summer’s driving season this Memorial Day, it has become increasingly clear that we can literally no longer afford the failed energy policies of President Bush and his allies like John Gard, who voted to raise the gas tax on hardworking Wisconsin drivers and received more than $44,000 in campaign contributions from big oil,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Joe Wineke said.

“Thankfully, Dr. Kagen is leading the effort on behalf of American consumers to crack down on OPEC Nations like Saudi Arabia and big oil companies who manipulate how much Wisconsin drivers pay to fill up their tanks,” Wineke said.

BACKGROUND

• John Gard voted to raise the state gas tax and add to the burden on every Wisconsin driver. He’s taken more than $44,000 from oil and gas companies while running for Congress [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/26/95; Center for Responsive Politics, Accessed: 5/20/08]
• Representative Kagen's bill would amend the Sherman Antitrust Act to make foreign cartels illegal. The Justice Department will have the authority to sue OPEC members restricting production and manipulating prices. [The Appleton Post Crescent. 5/20/08]  

• The Kagen bill also would create a Justice Department task force to document and prosecute practices that restrict oil and natural gas supplies or manipulate prices. The Government Accountability Office also would review how past mergers and changes in the U.S. oil industry have affected prices for consumers. [The Appleton Post Crescent. 5/20/08]

• In the past, the Bush Administration has threatened to veto similar measures passed by this Congress, despite broad bipartisan support, reflecting the President’s ‘drill and veto’ policies.

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