Conyers: What I'm doing on gas prices and voting rights

by email



Dear Friends:

I write today to update you on a few initiatives I have undertaken to fight for consumers and strengthen our community.

The Oil and Gas Antitrust Act of 2006

Rising gas prices have hit Michiganders hard, creating a big dent in everyone's pocketbook. I believe we must fight aggressively against the elements that are keeping these costs unnecessarily high. To that end, I have introduced the Oil and Gas Antitrust Act of 2006. This bill would eliminate the loophole that OPEC uses to avoid sanctions for its collusive trading practices that increase the cost of crude oil.

OPEC is an organization of oil producers that acts collectively to limit oil production to keep prices high. Any company engaging in this behavior would be subject to penalties for unfair trade practices, but the OPEC Members claim to be engaged in governmental functions, not commercial activities, when they act as a cartel. My legislation would deny their activity a governmental designation and subject them to the same laws that apply to other multinational corporations.

Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a crucial element of our country's civil rights movement. Nothing is more important in a democratic society than the free and unfettered right to vote. Unfortunately, we are still challenged by forces that seek to deny or discourage people from exercising their right to vote. Election Day intimidation and irregularities continue to be a problem. We have also been forced to combat efforts by our own Department of Justice which sought to allow some states to impose a Voter ID program requiring citizens to pay $20 for the right to vote.

I have devoted much of my life-long service on Capitol Hill to protecting the rights of voters. The Voting Rights Act is up for renewal now and I will be working to strengthen this Act by adding additional safeguards and protections for voters. If you have encountered any challenges voting that you think I should be aware of, please email me and let me know by clicking here.

Thank you for your time in reading this constituent report. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have at my office at (313) 961-5670.

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr.

:patriot: