Politicians have done some wacky things to get attention on the House floor, but this week Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) went to new heights.
On Wednesday, Blumenauer carried a life-size cardboard cutout of former President Ronald Reagan onto the House floor to convey his message about tax hikes.
With Reagan standing beside him, Blumenauer urged his fellow members to increase the federal gasoline tax, which has not been raised since 1993. Blumenauer emphasized that Reagan once opposed raising the gas tax but eventually realized that "one of our greatest material blessings is the outstanding network of roads and highways that spreads across this great continent."
The proposed bill would raise the federal gas tax to 33.4 cents per gallon, nearly double the current 18.4 cents. The Obama administration opposes the gas tax increase.
"All it takes is a little leadership and courage, like Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill did 32 years ago," the congressman said.
Blumenauer introduced the gas tax increase to Congress one year ago. Since then, the measure has gained just one co-sponsor, retiring Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.).
Watch the video above.
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