White House slaps down Jim Jordan attack on gas prices

The White House is shooting down an attack from Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who linked higher gas prices one year after the coronavirus pandemic locked down the economy to President Biden.

“Average gas price: June 2020: $2.21 June 2021: $3.07,” Jordan tweeted on Monday. “President Biden’s economy!” 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded to Jordan’s tweet a few hours later, dismissing his assertion and defending the job Biden has done helping the country navigate out of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. 

“You forgot to mention that gas prices are the same now as they were in June 2018. Or that this time last year unemployment was 11.1% — today it’s 5.8%,” she said. “@POTUS agrees families shouldn’t pay more at the pump – that’s why he’s opposed to GOP proposals to raise the gas tax.” 

You forgot to mention that gas prices are the same now as they were in June 2018. Or that this time last year unemployment was 11.1% — today it’s 5.8%.@POTUS agrees families shouldn’t pay more at the pump – that’s why he’s opposed to GOP proposals to raise the gas tax. https://t.co/tc5cDXrbJR

— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) June 21, 2021

Republicans have been ramping up criticism of Biden’s energy proposals and see rising prices at the pump as a window to seize on frustrations of cash-strapped Americans ahead of next year’s midterm elections. 

The fall of gas prices last year, however, was mostly because of the worldwide economic crisis. 

“Generally when demand is as strong as it is, you’re not going to find any discounts,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, told The Hill last week. “I think there’s going to be some pent up demand numbers here and there throughout the summer and that’s going to influence price.”

Republicans also criticized former President Obama over gas prices in 2012. The price at the pump was expected to rise as economies around the world came back from the financial crisis.

Republicans have also been trying to tie inflation to Biden, arguing that spending by Congress and the Federal Reserve will raise prices.

“Steel prices are up. Lumber prices are up. Construction costs are up. And President Biden thinks we can afford an infrastructure bill?” the congressman from Ohio wrote in another tweet.