SCHAKOWSKY CALLS ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO DELIVER ON 2000 CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO WORK WITH OUR FRIENDS IN OPEC TO CONVINCE THEM TO OPEN UP THE SPIGOT, TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY

APRIL 1, 2004

SCHAKOWSKY CALLS ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO DELIVER ON 2000
CAMPAIGN PROMISE
"TO WORK WITH OUR FRIENDS
IN OPEC TO CONVINCE THEM
TO OPEN UP THE SPIGOT,
TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a time when consumers in Chicago are paying increasingly high gas prices, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today called on President Bush to deliver on his 2000 campaign promise to convince OPEC "to open up the spigot."

"By continuing to refuse to follow through on his promise to force OPEC to ramp up production, President Bush is costing families in Chicago and across the country money," said Schakowsky, who is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

According to a June 28, 2000 New York Times article, then candidate Bush said, "I would work with our friends in OPEC to convince them to open up the spigot, to increase the supply. . Use the capital that my administration will earn, with the Kuwaitis or the Saudis, and convince them to open up the spigot."

Yesterday, however, OPEC decided to cut production by 4%, a move that could increase gas prices even more in the United States. Nonetheless, President Bush's Press Secretary sated that the President has still not called OPEC leaders about the issue.

"Gas prices have risen over 11% since President Bush took office and they do not appear drop anytime soon. This steady increase has cost Americans billions of dollars over the course of the Bush presidency," Schakowsky said.

"President Bush needs to pick up the phone and make the call to his friends in OPEC. The American people deserve a President who lives up to his promises," Schakowsky added.