Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana)

He goes on to state that "the rising cost of energy affects every family and business in America, whether through increased fuel prices, higher home heating expenses, or more of our family dollar spent on groceries and other necessities."

Congressman Jordan indicates that there are a number of reasons behind today's spike in energy prices, specifically the most significant of which is the failure of Congress and the President to enact a commonsense energy policy over the past 30 years.

Jordan supports a "gas tax holiday" to provide immediate price relief this summer. He feels that by making a "few bold decisions to increase our domestic energy supply we can cut fuel prices while putting our nation on a responsible path toward reducing our dependence on Middle Eastern oil."

The congressman explains that the United States has the world's largest economy, and therefore is the world's largest oil consumer. The expectation is that the U.S. dependency on oil will grow 40 percent over the next two decades.

Jordan points out that increase in demand is also surging in countries such as China and India, which drives up current market prices.

Jordan believes it is critical for Congress to increase our domestic energy supply in order to prevent OPEC nations from increasing their share and tightening their grip on the world's economy.

He believes that America has enough natural resources and can become independent from Middle Eastern oil. Jordan goes on to say that the first step should be to open up more areas of energy exploration as well as adding more refining capacity in our country.

Removal of environmental regulations is a necessity to add more refining capacity in our country.

Jordan believes Ohio is on the cutting edge of many market-based areas of research beyond just corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel.

By creating a long term energy policy that expands domestic production and refining capacity will also help create good paying American jobs according to Jordan.

Finally he asks Congress and the President to take a new look at some of the commonsense ideas he is supporting to reduce prices by increasing domestic energy supply and expanding of refining capacity.