Democrats turn up heat on US pump prices [View All]

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/08/19/MTFH98823_2005-08-19_21-30-55_EIC964467.html

U.S. Senate Democrats turned up the heat on the White House on Friday to act in the face of record-high U.S gasoline pump prices.

The same day, the Senate Energy Committee set a September 8 hearing on what's behind the prices, which hit a record $2.55 a gallon this week.

That's about 68 cents higher than just a year ago and the biggest weekly increase on record, which has triggered fears that high energy costs could hurt U.S. economic growth.

Lawmakers admit there is no short-term fix to pain at the pump, but are nervous about political fall-out. Gasoline prices are sure to be a hot topic when Congress returns from its recess next month.

Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, warned this week that high gasoline prices have stunted U.S. consumer spending.