“For six years the White House has stood by and done nothing while gas prices have jumped from an average of $1.43 in January 2001 for Pennsylvania families to over $3.00 today. Rather than work to bring relief to consumers, President Bush is doing the wrong thing once again on energy. The President’s threat to veto this important legislation is simply another example that his Administration is ignorant to the concerns of middle class families,” said Congresswoman Schwartz.

The bill voted on today, the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act, gives the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate and punish companies that artificially inflate the price of gas. The bill sets criminal penalties for price gouging, and permits states to bring lawsuits against wholesalers or retailers who engage in such practices. Despite the President’s stated intention to veto the bill, the proposal passed with a veto-proof majority. As a cosponsor of the bill, Congresswoman Schwartz worked to help secure its strong passage.