The price consumers are paying at the pump has increased under President Joe Biden by nearly $1.00 from last year in February.
On Tuesday, the current national average was $3.498, according to AAA. In February 2021, consumers were paying $2.507 at the pump.
Gas prices continue to SURGE under Joe Biden, up “a dollar more than a year ago.” pic.twitter.com/vHs0K8OFYv
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 15, 2022
The increase in gas prices has the Biden administration worried the midterms could be impacted. As such, the Washington Post reported vulnerable Democrat senators are working on legislation to suspend the gas tax until after the November election.
Those who support the measure include Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
It is unclear if President Biden supports cutting the gas tax to help Democrats win reelection, though the Post reported Biden is considering a federal gas tax holiday, “potentially pausing fees at the pump as part of a broader campaign to combat rising prices.”
But Larry Summers, who served as the Director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama, told the Post the idea of a gas tax holiday was “short-sighted, ineffective, goofy and gimmicky.”
“It’s terrible policy at [the] moment we’ve labeled climate change as an existential threat,” Summers suggested.
Democrats face an uphill battle in November. With Biden’s polling in the 30s, congressional Democrats are worried that Republicans might retake the House and Senate. Other polls suggest Democrats are struggling to compete against Republicans on issues such as the economy, inflation, high crime, and illegal immigration.
