House OKs bill on gas gouging

? Congress is intent on showing it feels your pain at the pump.

The House on Wednesday voted 284-141 to pass a bill that would make gasoline price gouging a federal offense.

In the Senate, Democratic leaders were scrambling to introduce an energy bill, the first since they took control of Congress. A committee also conducted a hearing on whether oil industry mergers had contributed to higher fuel prices.

Record high gasoline prices have drivers grumbling nationwide. Members of Congress have particular cause for alarm as they prepare to recess for a week for Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer driving season.

“I was at a funeral Saturday, and when the monsignor greeted me, he said, ‘My God, Bart, you have to do something about these gas prices!’ ” said Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., chief sponsor of the anti-gouging bill.

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, told her colleagues: “I can’t go home, and I imagine none of you can, without saying we tried to do something.”

Many Republicans seemed prepared to support the anti-gouging bill despite a White House veto threat. The 284 House members who voted for the bill included 56 Republicans.

Kansas Republican Reps. Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt voted against the bill, while Democrats Dennis Moore and Nancy Boyda voted for it.

The legislation would give federal authorities the power during presidentially declared energy emergencies to investigate and prosecute anyone selling fuel at a price that is “unconscionably excessive” or “indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage unusual market conditions.”

The White House contends that the definition of gouging is vague and would make the law difficult to enforce. The administration also questioned the need for the legislation, noting that many states have price-gouging laws.

During House debate, Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said that if “pandemic price gouging” were going on, states with anti-gouging laws would be flooding the courts with complaints.

Instead, he said, demand for oil is up. The markets were doing what markets do, he said, noting: “If you don’t have more of it, prices are going to go up.”

But Stupak told his colleagues that they had a simple choice: “Vote to stand up for consumers, your constituents, who are paying record prices, or vote to protect big oil companies’ enormous profits.”