U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fort Myers, kicked off an initiative Wednesday aimed at saving people money on gas and groceries during the summer months.
Radel stood outside a Fort Myers gas station to talk about groceries and gas prices. He said summer can be expensive, but the federal government can do things to save people money.
Among them, Radel is advocating approval of the Keystone pipeline, which has drawn fierce opposition from environmentalists nationwide.
Radel said fostering a gas agreement with Mexico and Canada would also help lower the price of gas.
“Let’s work with the Canadians,” he said, “let’s work with the Mexicans north and south of us to have an energy independent North America. And really for me it is a simple argument. We are talking about two things here: jobs, number one. Real private sector jobs for all Americans and that includes unions.”
Radel said unions should encourage President Obama and his administration to approve the Keystone pipeline. He said national security is also a big reason the country should be less reliant on foreign oil.
Radel also wants Congress to cap ethanol subsidies. He said the federal government’s spending on ethanol is one of the big things that need to change.
“All it’s done is spike up your gas prices, ruined boater’s lives-- people who have boats in Southwest Florida,” Radel said. “Every time you go to the grocery store, you are paying a heck of a lot more money because of artificially inflated prices, because of the government’s involvement in Ethanol.”
Radel also suggested reforming the country’s crop insurance program, which he said would lower food prices.
