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Bush: No evidence of gas gouging

The president's not ready to hit oil companies with more taxes. And he doesn't like a Spanish version of the national anthem.

By TIMES WIRES
Published April 29, 2006

WASHINGTON - President Bush isn't convinced a windfall tax on oil companies' profits is needed. So far he's seen no evidence of price gouging at the gas pumps. And he's no fan of a new Spanish-language version of The Star-Spangled Banner.

In a wide-ranging news conference at the White House Rose Garden on Friday, the president touched on issues from immigration to recent positive economic reports. But questions about gas prices dominated the discussion.

Despite public anger about the rising cost of fuel, Bush's remarks Friday suggested he is unlikely to take harsh action against oil companies any time soon.

The president said his inclination and instincts are that major oil companies are not intentionally overcharging drivers. Gasoline is averaging $2.92 a gallon across the country, up 69 cents from a year ago, according to AAA's daily fuel gauge report.

Following huge first-quarter profits by major oil companies, some Democrats have pushed for a windfall profits tax. Though a few Republicans, including Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, have said the idea ought to be examined, Bush said he opposes it.

"The temptation in Washington is to tax everything," Bush said. "The answer is for there to be strong reinvestment to make this country more secure from an energy perspective."

Three days ago, the president announced a series of steps, including calling on his administration to investigate possible price gouging. But he said Friday that he thinks it's probably not happening.

"I have no evidence that there's any ripoff taking place," Bush said. "It's the role of the Federal Trade Commission to assure me that my inclination and instincts is right."

He has supported rolling back some of the oil industry tax breaks that were enacted with his support eight months ago. That tax break pullback is part of a broader gas price-relief plan offered by the Senate GOP leadership, but House Republicans signaled this week they won't go along.

Bush acknowledged that rising fuel costs threaten to derail economic progress - and used a driving metaphor to make the point that tax cuts are the key to continued strength.

"With gas prices on the minds of Americans, we need to keep our foot on the pedal of this strong economy," the president said.

As for a Spanish-language version of The Star-Spangled Banner, which made its debut Friday, White House reviewer-in-chief gave it a thumbs down.

"I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English," Bush said.

The Spanish-language version of The Star-Spangled Banner features artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon. Called Nuestro Himno - for Our Anthem - the Spanish version rewrites some of the English version. For instance, the second stanza says, "My people keep fighting. It's time to break the chains."

"I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English," Bush said.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said in a statement that he plans to introduce a resolution Monday "giving senators an opportunity to remind the country why we sing our national anthem in English."

Alexander said the United States is a nation of immigrants "united by a common language" and principles, adding: "We are proud of the countries we have come from, but we are prouder to be Americans."

Bush also expressed his distaste for a national work stoppage called for Monday to dramatize the importance of immigrants to the U.S. economy.

"I'm not a supporter of boycotts," Bush said, while restating his support for a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws.

The planned boycott and the emergence of a Spanish-language anthem are ingredients in a national debate over how to deal with an estimated 11-million illegal immigrants. The issue has sent hundreds of thousands of protesters into the streets of major U.S. cities to demand the lowering of citizenship barriers.

"I understand how difficult this issue is for some people here in Washington and around the country," Bush said. His approach calls for a temporary guest worker program, tougher enforcement of laws and stricter border controls.

Acknowledging that it has become a highly charged topic, Bush said, "One of the things that's very important is when we debate this issue that we not lose our national soul."

Turning to problems at home, Bush promised his administration is using the lessons of Hurricane Katrina to prepare for the June 1 start of the next hurricane season.

"I feel pretty good about the coordination," he said.

Though his advisers have rejected, at least for now, abolishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Senate panel proposes, Bush left the door open. Of the numerous recommendations from White House and congressional inquiries, Bush said "we ought to take them all seriously. The objective is to respond to these natural disasters as well as we possibly can. . . . My attitude is, let's make it work."

Information from the New York Times, Associated Press and Knight Ridder News Service was used in this report.

[Last modified April 29, 2006, 01:18:13]