U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after President Obama announced his proposal to place a $10 tax on every barrel of oil: 

“After seven years of the president’s failed economic policies, it’s disappointing, but not surprising that the president announced a 30 percent tax on American energy to pay for more failed “stimulus-style” spending on “green” boondoggles and urban transit. This proposal would not be welcome at any time throughout the year, but, it is especially irresponsible and harmful in the midst of winter, when many Americans are using propane and heating oil to warm their homes, both of which are derived from petroleum refining. Missourians are tired of picking up the tab for the president’s out-of-touch agenda.”

Experts predict that a $10 per barrel tax would translate to a 25 cent per gallon increase in consumer gas prices and a 136 percent increase in the federal gas tax.