April 26, 2008 08:05 am By Patricia Breakey Delhi News Bureau Sen. Charles Schumer vowed Thursday to block U.S. arms deals with OPEC members unless oil production is increased to help relieve the escalating cost of gasoline and diesel fuel. Schumer said it is clear that oil production by the organization is below the capacity at which it could be producing, while higher oil prices are affecting U.S. consumers from the gas pump to the grocery store. Schumer called on the Bush administration to use its leverage with the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase oil supplies. He warned Congress could hold up multimillion dollar arms deals with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other OPEC members. "The Saudis have to understand this is a two-way street," Schumer said. "Right now, they get high-tech arms, our troops provide them protection and then they rake us over the coals by constricting oil supply and driving up prices." Gasoline prices in upstate New York are at record highs and may surpass $4 a gallon this summer. The price per gallon for regular unleaded is $2 higher than 2001 and up about 70 cents since last year. Schumer and Sens. Byron Dorgan, Bernie Sanders and Bob Casey, wrote President Bush a letter in which they presented their arguments. "The price of diesel fuel has increased even more rapidly _ reaching a record $4.22 a gallon, over a dollar more expensive than 2007," the letter said. "The price of diesel fuel not only impacts truck drivers, but it pushes food and transportation costs higher for consumers too. The combined effect of these energy prices drags down our economy, which can serve to extend and deepen the recession." ___ Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
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