Confronting Gas Prices - The Bush Administration’s policies have created a real economic and energy crisis. Today, I’ll introduce the Consumers-First Energy Act of 2008, which addresses these problems by:

• Suspending the filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the 90-day average price of crude oil recedes to $75 or less
• Protecting consumers from the harmful effects of excessive Wall Street speculation;
• Empowering the Attorney General to bring an enforcement action against any country or company that is colluding in setting the price of oil.

Addressing the Rising Cost of Food - As we’re paying much more to fill our cars with gas, to heat and cool our homes, now oil is even hitting our wallets at the grocery store.
 
Eggs cost nearly 30 percent more now than they did a year ago. The cost of bread is up close to 15 percent. It even costs more to eat healthy today, as items such as lean meats and vegetables rose by 20 percent over the past two years. Basic expectations like feeding our families are being challenged. Families who never thought they would have to visit a food bank are now left with no other option. It’s unacceptable.

The Senate is currently working on a Farm Bill, which provides some overdue assistance to Nevada ranchers and farmers, disaster assistance for lands affected by wildfires, payments for conservation, incentives for developing renewable energy, and it strengthens the purchasing power of food stamps by tying it to inflation, while increasing funding for food banks and soup kitchens.

Improving Air Travel - The rising cost of oil is also driving up the cost of air travel. But that’s just one challenge.  With thousands of air travelers experiencing flight delays and cancellations every week, I am committed to providing relief by making Nevada’s air traffic systems safer and more efficient.  The bill is crucial to Nevada’s economy and will help streamline tourism traffic in and out of Nevada’s airports. The Aviation Investment Act: 

• Incorporates elements of the Passenger Bill of Rights to protect consumers and deal with flight delays and cancellations;
• Upgrades aging airport infrastructure;
• Enhances oversight of airlines and the FAA;
• Improves runway safety;
• Modernizes an obsolete air-traffic control system with modern technology;
• Requires airlines to give passengers better information about arrivals and delays.

Almost 800 million people flew on U.S. commercial airlines last year, nearly twice as many as 20 years ago. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is the 5th busiest airport in the United States, and is expected to reach capacity within 5 years. The growth of air travel represents an opportunity for increased tourism, but we must improve our infrastructure first. I am sorry to report that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle blocked this measure yesterday afternoon, but I am working hard on a compromise that will help us to pass this critical legislation.