The White House responded to a Republican member of Congress who attempted to bash the Biden administration over gas prices.
In a tweet, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said: “Average gas price: June 2020: $2.21 June 2021: $3.07. President Biden’s economy!”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki brushed off the criticism, pointing out factual inconsistencies with Jordan’s claim.
“You forgot to mention that gas prices are the same now as they were in June 2018,” Psaki wrote in a tweet. “[President Joe Biden] agrees families shouldn’t pay more at the pump – that’s why he’s opposed to GOP proposals to raise the gas tax.”
Congressmembers are proposing alternative ways to pay for plans in President Biden’s infrastructure plan. Members have proposed raising the federal gas tax, as well as taxing electric vehicles. The White House has said both are non-starters for the president.
White House Chief of Staff Ronald Klain also came to the president’s defense.
“Gas was cheaper in 2020 because the pandemic limited travel,” Klain wrote, adding, “[G]as prices are where they were in 2018.”
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Psaki and Klain also called attention to the significant drop in the country’s unemployment rate. “This time last year unemployment was 11.1% -- today it’s 5.8%.”