Denver, Colorado - This weekend, President Bush finally discussed the record price of crude oil and the out-of-control price of gasoline. Instead of pledging to help Colorado working families by holding oil and gas companies accountable, President Bush said Americans were in for a "tough summer" and claimed that there was nothing he could do to dampen spiraling gas prices heading into this summer. According to the latest Lundberg survey of 7,000 gas stations, "retail gas prices across the country jumped an average of nearly a quarter per gallon in the past two weeks." [AP, 4/24/06]

Here in Colorado, the average price for a gallon of gas has jumped to $2.27, up $1.15 since President Bush took office in 2001.

"Instead of standing up for Colorado's working families by providing real leadership that would rein in out of control gas prices, Bush Republicans have given a free pass to oil and gas companies that are charging record prices even as they reap record profits, said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak. "The time has come for Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo, and Marilyn Musgrave and the rest of the Bush Republicans in Washington to join Democrats in putting working families first and holding the special interests accountable.

"Democrats have a bold vision for keeping America safe and secure, a vision that includes reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating good jobs for all Americans, a health care system that works for everyone, and retirement security. No Coloradan should have to chose between a tank of gas and a bag of groceries."