Responding to public anger over gasoline prices, the White House and Senate Republican leaders are backing new measures to shift the burden to car makers and oil companies, according to today's Wall Street Journal.
Both President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist urged Congress yesterday to pave the way for higher passenger-car fuel-economy standards. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said a rise would "save jobs, save lives and save fuel." Detroit has long resisted higher economy standards. The administration said it would support higher levels only if it could restructure the overall program, which could wind up helping domestic auto makers.The Senate energy bill also proposes a tax-accounting change that oil companies said could cost them billions of dollars and curb tax incentives for oil exploration granted last year.