Reducing Prices at the Pump; Protecting the Medicare Guarantee
Reducing Prices at the Pump
On Wednesday, House Democrats held a hearing on the issue of high gas prices and excessive oil speculation. This year alone, gas prices have increased by 62 cents a gallon. Not only do higher gas prices cause pain for American families, they have negative effects on our economy at large.
Experts have been clear: Wall Street speculators are artificially driving up the price at the pump and causing pain to millions of American consumers. Speculators are to blame for as much as 20% of the increase in gas prices. Yet Republicans continue to support legislation to reduce funding for the agency that oversees excessive speculation in the commodities markets.
President Obama has put forth an “all-of-the-above” solution for American energy and creating American energy jobs. This initiative includes spurring the deployment of new clean energy technology; investing in American-made energy: solar, wind, natural gas, biofuels, and more, and making cars more efficient. My Democratic colleagues and I will continue to work with the President to crack down on energy speculators and lower the price at the pump for Americans now. To watch video of the hearing, please click here.
Congresswoman Pelosi meets with San Francisco Firefighters, Local 798, to discuss the importance of funding our First Responders, protecting our public workers, and alarming cancer rates among San Francisco Firefighters.
Protecting the Medicare Guarantee
Last week, House Republicans voted for a budget that forces Medicare to wither on the vine– again. America’s seniors have paid into the Medicare system their whole working lives, but the GOP plan dismantles it, increasing health costs for seniors and denying them a guaranteed set of benefits. The Republican budget would also cut $1.7 trillion in benefits for seniors, families and those in nursing homes, which could force as many as 30 million Americans off of Medicaid.
Under the GOP plan, California residents would lose $167.1 billion in health benefits, including $33.4 billion for seniors. In addition, over 5 million residents could see their coverage cut entirely. House Democrats will continue to oppose Republican efforts to end the Medicare guarantee, give tax breaks to the wealthiest, destroy jobs and threaten Americans’ health care.
You're Invited!
Congress on Your Corner
Join the Office of Congresswoman Pelosi for a “Congress on Your Corner” at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL). My staff will be available to offer assistance in resolving issues with federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, and problems securing Social Security, Medicare or other federal benefits.
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
4:00pm to 7:00pm
Stong Room of the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL)
Main Branch
100 Larkin Street
Map It!
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my website. I am also on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.