Ellison: Oil Speculation Rules, Cutting Oil Subsidies Would Lower Gas Prices

Gas Prices

Rep. Keith Ellison argued last week that tougher rules on oil speculation and an end to subsidies for oil companies would help curb the recent hike in gas prices.

The 5^th District congressman last year introduced the “End Polluter Welfare Act," which would eliminate more than $110 billion in fossil fuel subsidies every 10 years.

Ellison released the following statement Friday:

A week before one of the busiest car travel weekends of the year, millions of Minnesotans are suddenly having to pay more for gas than ever before. This takes money out of the pockets of working people in the middle of a slow recovery, and causes real economic pain for Minnesotans already struggling to get by.

There are meaningful steps Congress can take to help Minnesotans. I am working with my colleagues to address the immediate causes of this sudden spike. As a Member of the House Financial Services Committee, I will also continue to work to address rampant oil speculation, which lines the pockets of Wall Street and drives up prices at the pump, and end polluter welfare to oil companies, who are already making record profits.

Herbicides

For the fourth time, Ellison has introduced legislation to ban the herbicide atrazine. The chemical, which is used nationwide to kill broadleaf and grassy weeds, is the most common herbicide found in Minnesota’s waters.

“In America, no one should have to worry that the water they drink might cause causing birth defects in their children or make them sick,” a news release quoted Ellison. “Europe has had laws in place for decades banning this dangerous pesticide.  We need to remove toxins like atrazine from our waterways.”

Right to Vote Amendment

Ellison and Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan announced legislation last week “to explicitly guarantee the right to vote in the Constitution,” according to a news release from Ellison’s office.

The amendment would amend the Constitution to add:

SECTION 1: Every citizen of the United States, who is of legal voting age, shall have the fundamental right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides. 

SECTION 2: Congress shall have the power to enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation.

“Americans’ ability to elect their leaders is a backbone of our democracy and our most fundamental right,” the release quoted Ellison.  “Even though the right to vote is the most-mentioned right in the Constitution, legislatures across the country have been trying to deny that right to millions of Americans, including in my home state of Minnesota. It’s time we made it clear once and for all: every citizen in the United States has a fundamental right to vote.”

Ellison argues that a constitutional amendment is needed to combat voter identification laws, increased registration requirements and reduced early voting opportunities.