Biden Blames Record Gas Prices of $4.17 on Putin: ‘I Can’t Do Much’
Biden’s comments come after he banned Russian oil imports
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Joe Biden has claimed that America's soaring gas prices are Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fault before admitting that he “can’t do much.”
Biden also predicted it would get worse with prices at the pump, with the record of $4.173 going higher.
"They’re going to go up,” Biden said.
When asked what solution there was, he said:
“Can’t do much right now. Russia is responsible.”
Biden’s comments come after he banned Russian oil imports into the United States, a catastrophic move that has sent gas prices soaring.
On Tuesday, regular gasoline hit $4.173 per gallon, up 11 cents in just one day and 72 cents higher from a month ago.
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The price of regular gas broke $4 a gallon on Sunday for the first time in nearly 14 years.
WATCH:
REPORTER: What can you do about skyrocketing gas prices?
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 8, 2022
BIDEN: "Can't do much right now. Russia's responsible." pic.twitter.com/UZrBUEsliQ
The White House said the record gas prices were due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“This is a Putin spike at the gas pump, not one prompted by our sanctions,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Air Force One on the way to Texas, where Biden would speak on veteran’s health.
As The Daily Mail reported:
The White House has repeatedly pushed back on questions on whether the administration could do more to give Americans financial relief.
“Federal policies are not in limiting the supplies of oil and gas,” Psaki said in her press briefing on Monday. And she defended White House action, arguing the administration has released oil from the strategic reserve, that there are 9,000 approved drilling permits not being used, and that they are in talks with oil companies.
Before he headed to Texas, Biden announced a ban on energy imports from Moscow, which he acknowledged would rattle world markets and likely drive up gas prices even higher.
In a Wall Street Journal poll, 79% said they favored a ban on Russian oil imports even if it increased energy prices in the U.S. Just 13% said they opposed it.
The support was bipartisan: The ban received 77% approval from Republicans and 72% of voters who said they would support former President Trump if he ran again in 2024.
Among Democrats, 88% said they favored the moratorium on Russian oil imports.
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Biden said the ban was necessary as it would target “the main artery of Russia’s economy."
The United States and its allies are trying to hurt Putin financially in order to get him to back down from his invasion.
“Americans have rallied support - have rallied to support the Ukrainian people and made it clear we will not be part of subsidizing Putin’s war,” Biden said at the White House.
During his speech, Biden also hit back at Republican accusations that his administration cut back U.S. oil and gas production -- pointing out that he actually pumped more oil than his predecessor Donald Trump did during his first year in office.
Biden insisted American fuel independence could be achieved by transitioning to clean energy which Republicans have claimed such efforts led the U.S. to today’s vulnerable position and high gas prices.
After Biden’s speech, Republicans renewed calls to increase U.S. fossil fuel production while also condemning Biden for looking at Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Iran as possible candidates to alleviate the immediate strain.
“Every purchase of Russian energy product provides financial support for Putin’s barbaric war on Ukraine,” Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana told DailyMail.com.
"Banning Russian oil and gas imports is obviously the right thing to do, and Biden must couple this glaringly clear decision with expanded U.S. oil and gas production.
"The president should have the courage to stand against the Democrats’ green new deal left and step away from his administration’s war on the American oil and gas industry."
Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern accused Biden of "intentionally" driving up gas prices to grow support for his electric vehicle initiatives in a statement to DailyMail.com.
“Biden and his handlers have spent the last year driving up inflation by any means possible with the intention of forcing a ‘reset’ in our country, a transition to the Green New Deal and other socialist policies,” Hern said.
"It’s all been intentional. Biden’s E.V. push does nothing to help Americans hurting today who can’t afford a luxury vehicle.
"It doesn’t help power our homes and businesses, and it will not cause the price of gas to go down one penny.
"American energy dominance is the answer, and that starts with oil and gas."
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said in a statement:
"I applaud President Biden for taking this important step, but similar to sanctions on Russia and aid delivered to Ukraine, he is once again late to act.
"After spending billions to finance Putin’s war on Ukraine, the president must immediately redirect efforts to restart America’s energy production."
His fellow Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said the ban was the "right step."
“While it’s past time for President Biden’s ban on the U.S. purchase of Russian oil, this is the right step,” Moran said on Twitter.
"Now his admin must take steps to unleash U.S. energy production.
"If not, gas prices will continue to rise & we will be reliant on our adversaries for energy production."
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was enacting the full Russian energy ban alone and claiming Europe is "taking advantage" of Biden.
“Just confirmed that most of Europe won’t go along with the United States in boycotting Russian oil and gas.”
“As usual, the United States will be left out there alone, being taken advantage of by Europe, as we defend them, while we read in the Fake News how everyone has come together under Biden to fight Russia,” Trump said through his Save America PAC.
