Higher prices at the pump, a frustrating reality for consumers.

Consumers say it's hard for those who struggle to make ends meat.  They're being forced to walk or ride the bus because they can't afford to buy gas and feed their family.

This has led Congress to ask, why then are oil companies raking in record profits?

Senator Richard Durbin, (D) Illinois, says, "Clearly there's profit taking, the most massive profit taking in the history of American industry."

Oil executives spoke before a senate judiciary committee Tuesday, saying their costs are enormous.


Lawmakers also questioned mergers between oil giants. The executives say in the global market it's necessary.

David O'Reily, Chairman & CEO, Chevron Corp., says, "Mergers in our industry over the past two decades have made U.S. companies more competitive and efficient in production refining and marketing of supplies."

Some say the oil issue does not rest entirely in the hands of the Shells and Chevrons of the world.

A university professor testified, with growing global demand for oil, the idea that Americans have a right to cheap and plentiful energy is out of sync with reality.

A gas price survey released last week, finds a jump of nearly eleven cents over the past two weeks to $2.35 cents a gallon for regular gasoline. 

The average price for gasoline in Oklahoma as of Tuesday, March 14, is $2.36.

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