Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici said today in a speech on the Senate floor that it is the responsibility of Congress, not the Administration, to address spiraling energy prices, including record high gasoline prices. He affirmed his commitment to passing S. 2095, the Energy Policy Act of 2003. Domenici, in floor remarks, chided Democrats for complaining about high energy prices but refusing to agree to a limit on the number of amendments to his bill. He urged Senate Democrats to stop blaming the president for energy prices and, instead, take a hard look at what the Senate can do, in conjunction with the House of Representatives, to address spiraling energy prices. He called on Democrats to agree to a reasonable number of amendments to S. 2095. When the last energy bill was being considered, 392 amendments were in order. In the current political climate, bills with an open number of amendments founder on the Senate floor, Domenici said. Domenici expressed keen disappointment when Senate Energy Committee Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman, during their colloquy on the floor, declined to agree to a limit on amendments. Domenici reaffirmed his commitment to passing an energy bill that stabilizes energy prices and creates jobs. Senator Domenici’s statement: “I am disappointed that my Democrat colleagues will not agree to limit the number of amendments on the energy bill. I think it is a contradiction to express concern over high energy prices, but refuse to swiftly vote on comprehensive energy legislation. If Democrats won’t come to the table to talk about a finite number of amendments to this bill, Democrats are not serious about addressing our energy challenges. “It’s an easy out to blame the President for gasoline prices. The harsh truth is that this country has, for decades, pursued policies that have systematically increased our dependence on foreign oil. This Senate has repeatedly refused to take sound, practical steps to increase domestic oil production. Blaming the president is nothing but transparent election year politics. “Let’s take these high prices seriously, roll up our sleeves and get to work on this energy bill. If senators don’t like some of it, bring me some serious amendments. But let’s bring a finite number of meaningful amendments to the table. Let’s not swamp this bill with the threat of hundreds of amendments, many of them having nothing to do with energy. Let’s not mire this bill in disingenuous amendments and then try to tell the American people we care about energy prices. The American people have the right to expect action from us, not political posturing.” ### .