Our economy runs on abundant, affordable energy. It’s what fuels our factories, helps our farms flourish and powers our economy. Unfortunately, the skyrocketing price of gas has made filling up at the pump extremely difficult for families and businesses already struggling to meet their financial obligations. It poses the potential to stall any economic recovery and that’s why I believe Congress and the president must act to address the high price of gasoline. The federal government has resources at its disposal that would help American families, but is refusing to use them. It seems impossible – even unjust – that this is the case but in fact, oil production on federal lands was down 14 percent in 2011 despite the American energy hardship. The present administration has suggested that tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) – emergency oil in underground storage caverns intended for supply interruptions resulting from shutdowns, natural disasters and national security emergencies – may be the answer when it comes to bringing down prices. Tapping the SPR may be politically expedient for the president, but it’s also a one-time, short-term fix for an ongoing problem. In response to