Lawmakers clash over price gouging bill

From this week's "Inside Washington" column:

Greater Cincinnati's five Republican House members disagreed last week over a bill the House passed that targets price gouging at the gas pump.

Reps. Jean Schmidt of Miami Township, Steve Chabot of Westwood and Mike Turner of Centerville all voted in favor of the measure, which passed Wednesday, 284-141.

"Those who manipulate the market and take advantage of a crisis situation are not playing by the rules," Chabot said. "With gas prices on the rise ... it's important to protect consumers."

The bill would authorize the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to prosecute those who engage in price gouging. It also establishes criminal penalties.

But these provisions would be triggered only if the president declares an "Energy Emergency."

Considering that the White House has said it "strongly opposes" this bill, that is highly unlikely.

In a statement, the Bush administration said the bill could result in gas price controls and bring back the long gas lines of the 1970s.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of West Chester and Kentucky Rep. Geoff Davis of Hebron also oppose the Democrat-backed bill. They voted "no."

Boehner, in a news release, called the bill "all bark and no bite" and said it would do nothing to lower gas prices for consumers.

"Instead of advancing common sense, comprehensive energy solutions that increase American supplies of all forms of energy, this bill points fingers at a political bogeyman and imposes anti-free-market price controls that will depress investment here at home, keep supplies tight, and send prices through the roof," he said.