20.07.22

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) today delivered a speech in the Senate on historic gasoline prices hurting Louisiana families. Cassidy read several messages he received from Louisiana residents expressing pain over high gas prices.

“I hear every day from families in Louisiana saying they are struggling to keep up with gas prices at historic highs,” said Dr. Cassidy. “And the Biden administration doesn’t seem to be really listening, so I’m here to make their voices heard.”

“What these letters clearly show is that Americans are suffering,” concluded Dr. Cassidy. “President Biden – as one of my constituents put it – needs to go where real people live.”

Click here to watch Cassidy’s full speech.

Cassidy’s speech as it was delivered can be found below:

Mister President,

I hear every day from families in Louisiana saying they are struggling to keep up with gas prices at historic highs.

It is becoming unaffordable to drive to work or drop off children at school.

The 15-year-old pickup truck they drive, not because they don’t want a new car, but because they can’t afford a new one, now costs $100 a full to fill up.

And for those who say, tell them to buy an electric vehicle, it’s the modern equivalent of Marie Antoinette telling the peasants, “let them eat cake”.

Families are forced to choose between groceries and gasoline.

And the Biden administration doesn’t really seem to be listening, so I’m here to make their voices heard.

Let me read some letters we received from constituents.

Lorrie from Jamestown, Louisiana: Dear Mr. Cassidy, Is there any relief in sight for gasoline prices? We had affordable gas under the Trump administration. There is no reason for us to have these prices now if oil and gas production in the United States was running at full speed. Why would we depend on other countries for anything when we were already energy independent a short time ago. Families in our country are suffering.

Next letter. Gwendolyn de Prairieville: Dear Senator Cassidy, Please do whatever it takes to get American oil and gas used as resources. I am a 60 year old divorced woman with limited income. Gas went up, electricity went up, groceries went up, medical bills went up, insurance went up drastically, and my salary didn’t keep up at all.

This is Donnis from Singer: Dear Senator Cassidy, I just wanted to express my opinion that it makes no sense that our government is not renewing the oil leases off the coast of Louisiana…There is no reason why that we are taken hostage by countries that do so. does not care about our sovereignty.

This is Philip from Deridder: Please help us with these high gas and food prices. I’m retired on a fixed income and these higher gas and food prices are starting to hurt me and my wife.

Here’s Gregory from New Iberia: It’s not about party affiliation, we’re in for a bad crisis. Both sides need to get together and talk about drilling again, we have all the resources we need to start drilling again, and I know you’re trying, I see [it] on the news. Please keep trying.

Here is Laura from Vinton: I want to express my concern for us, the citizens of Louisiana. Gas prices are rising daily, food prices are also rising daily. It’s about having to choose whether to get gas or groceries. Something has to be done. We citizens suffer daily. Please help us Americans!

This is Daryl from Mooringsport: As your constituent, I urge you to publicly demand and vote for the immediate and permanent expansion of domestic oil and natural gas production. No more nonsense about the Green New Deal. Energy dependence leads to rising gasoline and diesel prices which sends gas and food prices skyrocketing. We cannot count on Iran or Venezuela to save us. We must produce our own energy here – in America – and NOW

Finally, Karen from Gretna asked: why do we import oil? Energy independence is vitally important to our national security. Louisiana was a leader in domestic energy production. It is shocking how quickly our country has changed. Please continue to work on our behalf to force our government to reinstate the energy independence policies that were in effect under the Trump administration. Speak loudly for us!

Speak loudly for us.

Speak loudly for us!

What these letters clearly show is that Americans are suffering.

That’s why I’ve called for Operation Warp Speed ​​to bring down prices at the pumps, unleash American energy, and regain our energy independence.

President Biden needs to stop prioritizing far-left climate activists over the family sitting around the dinner table, asking them what they have to give up next to make ends meet.

President Biden – as one of my constituents put it – needs to go where real people live.

With that, I give in.

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