“Gas prices in parts of Michigan have increased 15 percent in just four days.  This is unacceptable!” Camp said.  “I urge the Administration to take a firm stance in increasing production by OPEC countries to help reduce gasoline prices.”

 The Administration has resisted Congressional intervention that would alleviate skyrocketing gasoline prices, preferring instead to try to persuade OPEC to agree to raise oil production targets.  

 However, Camp recently voted with 382 members for the Oil Price Reduction Act calling on President Clinton to get tough on countries that simultaneously receive U.S. foreign aid while engaging in oil price fixing.

 “We can not and should not tolerate countries which gladly accept U.S. foreign aid with one hand, while fixing oil prices and sticking it to the American people on the other,” Camp said.  “The Administration has known for months about this impending crisis, but has failed to act.  Now Americans are paying more and more at the pump for this inaction.” 

 The bill calls for the Administration to adopt a multilateral strategy with other oil consuming countries and to take steps to reduce, suspend, or terminate assistance or arms sales to oil exporters engaged in price fixing. 
      
 “Hopefully with coordinated action by Richardson and Reno, we will slam the brakes on rising gas prices,”  Camp said.