WASHIGNTON – Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11) voted in favor of bipartisan legislation he says would help reduce record high gas prices and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6022, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act by a vote of 385-25.  This legislation would direct the President to temporarily halt the shipment of about 70,000 barrels of oil a day to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) through December 2008, unless the price of oil drops below $75 per barrel.  This temporary suspension could reduce gas prices from 5 to 24 cents per gallon, greatly aiding America’s families with such costs.  The SPR is currently about 97 percent full – the highest level ever, and it is the largest emergency oil stockpile in the world.

“With gas prices approaching $4 per gallon nationwide, the House passed bipartisan legislation that will help reduce these skyrocketing prices affecting every American,” said Kanjorski, whose district includes much of Monroe County.  “Our oil reserves are almost completely full, yet the President insists on purchasing more oil for the SPR.  As families struggle to afford gas, this legislation will help to reduce our gas prices by temporarily suspending these daily shipments.”

Kanjorski has also continuously supported opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for oil and gas production.