Seattle’s KUOW: Senator Maria Cantwell wants to make price gouging at the gas pump a federal crime

Raw transcript of NPR radio script.

Suggested host intro: Currently, price gouging at the gas pump isn’t a federal crime. Yesterday (Tuesday) a Senate committee passed an amendment that would make it one. The legislation is sponsored by Washington Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell. Matt Laslo (laz-lo) on Capitol Hill reports.

NARR: Senator Cantwell has worked on this legislation for several years. She says it has more importance now than ever before.

CANTWELL2-history

:07 Yesterday in Washington state we had the highest gas prices on a statewide basis in our nations history.

The bill gives the Federal Trade Commission the power to investigate price gouging only during federal emergencies. But Cantwell says it will give people peace of mind all the time. 

CANTWELL3- THE ISSUE

:12 The issue here is that we want to give consumers the confidence that any kind of manipulative activities that are specific schemes to manipulate energy process will be dealt with

The amendment is facing Republican opposition. South Carolina Senator Jim Demint says the bill is not well thought out.

DEMINT1-LAWYERS

:12 We’re gonna have a new playground for lawyers suing and threatening retailers and refineries. I am just afraid the law of unintended consequences is all over this one and I will oppose it.  

Currently 28 states have laws similar to Cantwell’s.

For KUOW News, I'm Matt Laslo on Capitol Hill.

This piece first aired on Seattle’s KUOW.