Democrats Fuel High Gas Prices

In 2019, for the first time in nearly 70 years, the United States became a net total energy exporter and the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the world. President Joe Biden has made it his mission to reverse these achievements.

Gas Prices Up 40% Since January

When he took office, the average cost for a gallon of gasoline was $2.46 – the price was $3.44 on December 6; a 40% increase. The president and Democrats in Congress should recognize that their policies are damaging our economy and causing pain for American families. They need to reverse course immediately.

On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have moved 830,000 barrels of crude oil each day. Days later, he banned new oil and gas leases on public lands and federal waters, saying the program needed review. The Department of the Interior subsequently concluded that fees on American energy producers should be raised to “deliver a fair and equitable return to American taxpayers.” These fee increases are designed to lower interest in the leases, thus depressing supply and causing consumer prices to rise even higher. If energy companies decide to pursue leases and pay the rate increases, the higher costs will just get passed on to American families.

In March, Democrats enacted a $2 trillion partisan stimulus law that has fueled inflation. Now, they’re setting their sights on passing a reckless tax and spend spree that would spend trillions of dollars more and inflict inflationary policies that would make the situation even worse. Their bill is loaded with new and increased fees on American energy producers that will ultimately be paid by Americans gassing up their cars or heating their homes. The bill also would cut land available for energy production, which would further constrict supply.

After watching prices climb for months, the left finally acknowledged action was necessary. Just as Americans were getting ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, President Biden announced the Department of Energy would release 50 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, about 2.5 days of U.S. consumption. Democrats bragged the average cost for a gallon of gas went down two cents.

The Biden administration remains largely oblivious to how its policies are hurting American families. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm burst into laughter when asked about high gas prices last month. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg suggested families feeling the pinch should buy electric cars so they “never have to worry about gas prices again.” No, just the price of electricity. The average cost of an electric vehicle in October was $55,676, around $10,000 higher than the average vehicle overall and out of reach for many families. Celebrating a measly two-cent drop in the outrageous price of gasoline their own policies fueled shows how out of touch Democrats are. Their policies are running on empty. Democrats should return to the successful Republican strategies that led to energy independence and low prices.