Congressman Steve Kagen MD (D-Appleton) is sponsoring the Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act. It's designed to strength the government's ability to sue or prosecute oil cartels; or any foreign or domestic agent that price gouges or limits energy production.
Kagen notes the price at the pump has skyrocketed, so he is calling for more competition in the marketplace. OPEC is the largest oil cartel and accounts for 2/3 of all oil traded internationally. This act would create a Justice Department task force devoted to petroleum antitrust action.
The bill passed the House 324 to 84 on Tuesday. The Appleton Democrat has no idea what the Senate will do but he says a former version of this bill passed last May by a wide "veto proof" margin. The Wisconsin House delegation unanimously approved the measure.