Gas is not the only price increase Americans are facing, according to a recent USA Today article, electricity bills have also skyrocketed. Under the Obama Administration, the average family income is down by more than $1,000, and the cost of eggs has increased by 30 percent, fruit by 14 percent, and meat by 18 percent. With the cost of living continuing to rise and wages remaining low, it comes as little surprise that nearly half of the U.S. feels worse off financially today than they did one year ago, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Relief, especially relief from high gas prices, does not appear to be on the horizon from President Obama. A White House aide recently confirmed that the president lobbied Senate Democrats to vote against the Keystone XL pipeline. If passed, the Keystone XL pipeline would increase our domestic crude supply by an estimated 302 million barrels per year (830,000 barrels a day), $20 billion of private sector investment would be injected into the American economy, 20,000 direct jobs would be created and $5 billion in taxes to local communities would be collected over the project’s lifetime. Read more about the Keystone XL Pipeline project here. 

Congressman Dave Camp met with more than 40 Michigan corn farmers to discuss federal issues affecting the corn growers industry. After opening remarks, providing an overview of his committee’s responsibilities and activities, Camp answered questions about the 2012 legislative agenda on agriculture issues. Attendees asked questions about our nation’s ports and dams, expressing the important role waterways play in moving agricultural products to market and overseas. Other important topics included the 2012 Farm Bill and how changes to the tax code may affect growers.  Read more here.

 Camp, Michigan Delegation Oppose Drastic Defense Cuts

Camp joined the Michigan Congressional delegation to express concern over the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget’s proposed cuts and their impact on Michigan’s Air National Guard. Camp and delegation  sent a letter outlining these concerns to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. Read more in the Detroit News here.