JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Drivers are getting virtually no relief at the pump. Compared to a year ago, gas is up an average of 55 cents a gallon. Politicians are feeling the heat, especially in this election year, and Congress is holding hearings today to point fingers and discuss solutions. CNN congressional correspondent Chris Black joins us now from Capitol Hill -- Chris.</s>CHRIS BLACK, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson is back in the hot seat: testifying this morning at the first of four different hearings that are called this week to look at the high price of gasoline in the United States. Bill Richardson opened the hearing this morning with glimmer of good news, what he called good news, he said that the United States had recorded a decline of three cents per gallon price in the last week in the United States. And he said they hoped that it would turn into a trend. Richardson has been the administration's point man with the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries and he told the committee members that he thought the quiet diplomacy that led OPEC to reduce -- to increase production twice this year was working.</s>BILL RICHARDSON, ENERGY SECRETARY: The next decision is a testament to the fact that those governments responded to the concerns that we raised. Well, this recent lift is modest, it is an important step. Mr. Chairman, since this time last year we have seen a nearly 3.5 million barrel per day increase in production. This is substantial and it is not only good for America, but it is good for Asia, Europe and all the world economies.</s>BLACK: This is a politically potent issue, though, particularly heading into a holiday weekend. So there was almost an hour of partisan finger pointing between House Democrats and Republicans before Mr. Richardson could even speak. Chris Black, CNN, reporting live from Capitol Hill.
Congress Holds Hearings to Point Fingers, Discuss Solutions for Rising Gas Prices