Thank you, Senator Levin, Senator Reed, Senator Klobuchar and everyone here for coming today. And a special thank you to Senate Democratic leaders for introducing legislation that address the high energy prices that we are all experiencing.

My name is Josephine Powe, and I am from Suitland, Maryland. I am speaking today as a member of the Alliance for Retired Americans. The Alliance brings together over 3.5 million retirees from labor and community-based groups through a grassroots movement to improve the economic security and health care of older Americans

I can safely say that I represent many seniors who are on a tight budget, and who have been straining even more than usual lately to make ends meet, due to the high cost of energy. Fortunately, I am healthy enough to continue driving, so I pay attention to the prices at the pump. According to AAA, a gallon of regular gas in Washington, DC now costs drivers $3.71 -- up 30 cents from just one month ago and up 65 cents since last year.

An extra dollar or two per gallon may not seem like a lot of money to a big oil executive, but to a senior on a fixed income – it is everything. When our costs go up and our income does not, that dollar means you don't know if you're going to have enough money to buy food after you fill up the tank.You could say that it’s becoming a choice between driving to the supermarket versus shopping at the supermarket! Food prices are higher at the grocery store, after all, due to the higher fuel costs. Even worse, there is no end in sight.

I feel anxiety that I didn’t used to feel. I feel powerless. These higher gas prices are also affecting my daily life in ways I would never have expected. I have had to cut back on the exercise program prescribed by my doctor – swimming - because I do not have money to get to the pool. It’s not just me. My friends and I have stretched our budgets to the limit. That we can no longer afford to listen to our doctors means we are paying far beyond the pump. We should not have to make these choices.

Finally, our government is addressing these problems that affect so many of us with legislation that will crack down on price gouging and force big oil to pay their fair share.

Thank you, everyone, for listening to my story and doing your part to increase public awareness of these issues.