By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-736058.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A progressive issues advocacy group is criticizing United States Congressman Randy Kuhl and other Republicans for voting against an energy relief measure last week.
Consumers continue to wait for relief as they watch the ongoing political wrestling match over how to stem soaring prices. The Democrats' bill would have allowed the release of 70 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help temporarily lower gas prices. The more easily refined light crude would have been replaced with heavier crude oil.
Republicans defeated the measure. The vote fell 16 votes shy of the two thirds majority needed. Lauren Weiner is with the advocacy group, Americans United for Change. She said releasing oil from the reserve is a proven solution.
The advocacy group took direct aim at Republicans who voted against the measure. Singled out in the attack was U.S. Congressman Randy Kuhl who represents the 29th district. He was among 157 Republicans who voted against the measure.
Kuhl was unavailable for comment, but his office released a statement defending his vote. It said that the legislation diverted attention from long-term substantial solutions. He and others favor comprehensive legislation that includes lifting the ban on offshore drilling.
Weiner said that plan benefits oil companies, not consumers.
In his statement, Kuhl described the Democrats' plan to release oil from the reserve as a political maneuver. Kuhl said "the bill is designed for a short-term, pre-election effect that would trigger price increases soon after the election."
Meanwhile, as the political rhetoric drones on, consumers are having their own effect on prices.
They are driving less and that has dropped prices a few pennies at the pump.
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