Conflicting Loyalties as Republicans Confront High Gas Prices

WASHINGTON

In another sign, House Republicans moved to slap oil companies with one hand while trying to help them with the other.

Voting 389 to 34, the House approved steep new penalties for oil companies convicted of “price gouging,” a crowd-pleasing but largely symbolic measure. Republicans then tried but failed to rush through a bill long sought by the oil industry that would speed regulatory approval for new refineries.