Latest Press Releases

GAS PRICES: Wicker Helps Introduce Gas Price Reduction Act

For Immediate Release — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:30:57 GMT

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today helped introduce the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008, legislation designed to address the high price of gas at the pump. The legislation, which has 42 cosponsors, is part of an effort by Senate Republicans to reach out to their Democratic colleagues in order to find common ground on a way to lower gas prices and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

“With the average price of gas in the United States costing more than $4.00 per gallon – and with the average price in Mississippi not far behind – it is past time to take immediate action to lower energy prices,” Sen. Wicker said. “By not utilizing our vast energy reserves, we are essentially sitting on our hands when we should be acting to address this problem.”

“By allowing for more deep sea exploration, lifting the moratorium on oil shale development in the Rocky Mountain West, and expanding research for innovative alternatively-powered vehicles, this legislation takes a multi-pronged approach to solving our energy problems.”

Below is a summary of the provisions contained in the Gas Price Reduction Act:

TITLE I: DEEP SEA EXPLORATION IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF (OCS)

Would make available to production 14 billion barrels of oil in Atlantic and Pacific OCS, which is more than all U.S. imports from the Persian Gulf countries over the last 15 years
• State option nationwide (legislation does not address the Gulf of Mexico since it was addressed in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006)
• Governor petitions to allow exploration, with concurrence of state legislature
• Exploration must be at least 50 miles from coast
• 50% of revenues to Federal Treasury, 37.5% to States, 12.5% to Land & Water Conservation Fund

TITLE II: WESTERN STATE OIL SHALE EXPLORATION

Colorado, Utah and Wyoming have more than three times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia
• There are 800 billion - 2 trillion potentially recoverable barrels in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming
• Democrat Congress put moratorium on final regulations for development of this resource
• Republican proposal would repeal the moratorium and allow exploration to move forward

TITLE III: PLUG-IN ELECTRIC CARS AND TRUCKS

• We need better batteries to maximize electricity range & use less gas
• Increased R&D for advanced batteries
• Direct Loans for advanced battery manufacturing facilities
• Sense of Senate that the Federal Government should increase its purchases of these vehicles

TITLE IV: STRENGTHENING U.S. FUTURES MARKETS

• Authorizes increased funding/staff for Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
• Directs the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets to study the international regulation of commodities markets
• Codifies CFTC action on position limits and transparency for foreign boards of trade
• Requires the CFTC to gather information on index traders and swap dealers

Sen. Wicker is also a cosponsor of a more expansive domestic energy bill, the American Energy Production Act of 2008 (S.2958). This legislation would provide up to 24 billion barrels of American oil by lifting the ban on deep sea exploration, lifting the moratorium on oil shale development, permitting exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska, and incorporating coal-to-liquids as part of our nation’s fuel supply.

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FACT SHEET: Second television commercial, "Fighting for our Coast"

Wicker for Senate — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:42:33 GMT

ANNOUNCER:
Senator Roger Wicker. He fought for us after Katrina

SENATOR WICKER:
It's still amazing the force of the storm ... was so strong.

BILOXI MAYOR A.J. HOLLOWAY:
The water met from the bay and the beach here.

ANNOUNCER:
Wicker helped secure billions to rebuild infrastructure and bring new jobs.
• In the 109th Congress Wicker successfully pushed HR3645 and HR3673, the two main Supplemental appropriations bills for Hurricane Katrina relief.
• Graphic – “We already owe Roger Wicker a debt of thanks.” Sun Herald Editorial. 1/2/2008
“His position on such a powerful committee would serve South Mississippi well a couple of years later when Hurricane Katrina struck. When billions of dollars in aid was tied up in Congress, Wicker was on the House negotiating team to secure passage of the Katrina package.”

RETIRED HARRISON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL JOE SPRAGGINS:
You and Senator Cochran did a fantastic job to get things pushed through for us.

SENATOR WICKER:
I still have a lot of people come tell me they think Katrina is over.
• Graphic – “Wicker’s maiden speech is all about Katrina.” Sun Herald. 3/7/2008
“Throughout his 20-minute address, Wicker recounted his own experiences and those of fellow Gulf Coast residents during the most devastating disaster in North America. And with thousands still struggling to recover, the 56-year-old Republican sought to drive home this message: ‘Katrina is not over.’”

BILOXI MAYOR A.J. HOLLOWAY:
We're a long way before Katrina will be over.

ANNOUNCER:
He'll continue to fight for us. Roger Wicker.

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Statement on Congressman Shows' Withdrawal from Senate Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:04:41 GMT

JACKSON, MISS. -- Senator Roger Wicker's campaign spokesman Ryan Annison released the following statement today regarding Congressman Shows' withdrawal from the Senate race:

"This announcement will give the voters a clear choice in November. Senator Roger Wicker will continue to run a positive campaign on his record of proven conservative leadership and accomplishments for Mississippi. We welcome Congressman Shows' supporters."

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Statement from Senator Roger Wicker on the Mississippi Supreme Court Ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:26:38 GMT

"I've always said this was an issue for the Supreme Court to resolve. As a practical matter, most circuit clerks have told me that having the election in November will save the taxpayers millions of dollars. In addition, this decision will now make it possible for our armed forces personnel to vote by absentee ballot. I will continue to focus on serving the people of Mississippi in the United States Senate and look forward to a spirited campaign."

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Wicker Statement on State of the Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:00:04 GMT

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement on President Bush's State of the Union address:

"It was encouraging to see the president place such an emphasis on bringing Congress together to pass legislation quickly to give our economy a boost. While the fundamentals of our economy remain strong, it is important that we provide immediate assistance to workers and families who are struggling with high energy costs and a softening housing market. We also must give small businesses a financial boost in order to help them continue growing and creating jobs.

"In the longer term, I support the president's call to strengthen our economy by making current tax law permanent in order to stop devastating tax hikes that are scheduled to happen in just three short years unless Congress acts.

"On other important domestic issues like increasing access to affordable health care, promoting alternative energy sources and renewing the No Child Left Behind education law, I appreciated the president's call to action and am hopeful that bipartisan consensus can be found.

"President Bush also highlighted the national security challenges we continue to face, including the global war on terror. Last year, the president made the difficult decision to send more troops to Iraq to help stop rising levels of violence. With violence in Iraq now falling dramatically and political reconciliation between the Iraqis taking hold, it is clear the president's strategy worked. Under the leadership of General David Petraeus, our troops have made remarkable progress. They should continue to be given the funding and resources necessary to continue to finish their mission and begin the process of coming home.

"While a stabilized Iraq with a functioning democracy is vital to our national security, President Bush was right to call on Congress to act on the most pressing national security issue currently facing our country: the extension of terrorist surveillance legislation that allows our intelligence community to monitor terrorists' communication both here and abroad. This critical law, known as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, expires in just four short days. I hope Congress acts immediately to extend this law in order to provide our intelligence agencies the tools they need to keep us safe."

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U.S. Senator Roger Wicker Continues on Statewide Bus Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:17:39 GMT

TUPELO, Miss. -- U. S. Senator Roger Wicker's campaign released the details of the Thursday afternoon, January 10, and Friday, January 11, schedule for his statewide bus tour.

Wicker is currently traveling around the state receiving the encouragement and support from Mississippians representing all walks of life, from all sorts of backgrounds, and from every part of the state.

Wicker's bus tour began on Monday, January 7^th in Tupelo, and will conclude Friday night the 11^th in West Point. The following dates, times, and places have been released.

Thursday, January 10

3:25 PM | Jackson – Hilton Hotel on County Line Road

Friday, January 11

8:15 - 9:15 | Ridgeland – Primos Restaurant

9:35 - 10:35 | Canton – Courthouse/Square

11:00 - 12:00 | Carthage – Courthouse/Square

12:30 - 1:20 | Philadelphia – Williams' Brother's Store

2:45 - 3:30 | Starkville – M Club on MSU campus

4:05- 4:50 | Columbus – Downtown visit

5:25- 6:10 | West Point – Anthony's Restaurant

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U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker Welcomed to Washington by National Federation of Independent Business

National Federation of Independent Business — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:59:47 GMT

CONTACT: Michael E. Diegel, 202-314-2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Federation of Independent Business today welcomed a leading small-business advocate to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

Sen. Wicker, who was appointed by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour to fill the term of retired Sen. Trent Lott, has been recognized with the NFIB Guardian of Small Business in every Congress since he was first elected in 1994, with an average rating of 97 percent. In the 110th Congress, he voted with small business in opposing two important union initiatives -- against the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act, which would have replaced secret ballot union elections, and against attempts to eliminate the statue of limitations for pay discrimination charges.

During the 109th Congress, he stood with small business in supporting small-business health plans, estate tax reform, curbing frivolous lawsuit abuse and medical malpractice reform. In addition, he was a supporter of the president's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

"Small-business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses and employees, and stand by those who stand for them," said Dan Danner, NFIB's executive vice president of public policy/political. "The record shows that Senator Wicker is a true champion of small business, having stood strong on the key small-business votes in the House of Representatives.

"We also want to thank Senator Lott for his long service on behalf of small businesses, and commend Governor Barbour for recognizing the need to have another solid small-business advocate in Washington, which he has done by appointing Senator Wicker," Danner continued. "We look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship with Senator Wicker on behalf of small businesses."

Response to Musgrove Attacks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:30:43 GMT

Tupelo, Miss. -- Wicker for Senate spokesman Brad Ferguson made the following statement today following Ronnie Musgrove's annoucement to challenge Senator Wicker in the November election, during which Musgrove sharply criticized Senator Wicker"

"It is disappointing that Ronnie Musgrove waited until only his sixth or seventh breath to get down in the mud and start negative campaigning by criticizing Senator Wicker. This may be a new record for Mississippi campaigns. The people of Mississippi are tired of politicians like Mr. Musgrove and their negative attacks, and I don't think they are going to stand for his brand of politics. They said so once, and they will say so again."

"But if he wants to make this campaign about the success and achievements of Senator Wicker in responding to the needs of Mississippians by delivering for them in Washington, I say that's a campaign we welcome."

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