Democrats informed the American public the party has actually “done our part” to reduce gas prices— not by driving oil production but rather by purchasing electric vehicles.
Throughout a Wednesday early morning House Energy Committee hearing, Rep. Frank Pallone (D., N.J.) stated Democrats have “worked hard” to “bring real energy security to the American people” and focus on “actually reducing costs for American consumers at the pump.” To confirm his case, nonetheless, Pallone did not list efforts from Democrats to stimulate oil production. Instead, he proclaimed the celebration’s financial investments in electrical lorries, which he said would certainly someday make the price of gas out-of-date.
“We’ve invested in electric vehicles to give consumers a choice and make high gas prices a thing of the past,” Pallone, who chairs the committee, said. “So we’ve done our part or we’re doing our part to try to produce or have more oil available on the marketplace.” The Democrat did not include the latter remark in the online transcript of his opening statement.
Pallone’s remarks come as Democrats attempt to distance their event from overpriced costs at the pump seen under President Joe Biden. During Wednesday’s hearing, Energy Committee Democrats pinned the blame on top U.S. oil execs, whom they charged of cost gouging as well as war profiteering following Russia’s February intrusion of Ukraine. But prior to the war, Biden oversaw the biggest year-over-year gas price walking in at least 3 years, which came after the Democrat assured to “end fossil fuel,” canceled the Keystone XL pipe, as well as applied a postponement on brand-new gas leases.
While committee Democrats prompted oil executives to boost oil production during the hearing, their House colleagues did just the opposite a matter of months ago. In late October, House Oversight as well as Reform Committee Democrats called execs from Exxon, BP, Shell, as well as Chevron to ask what actions they were taking to produce much less oil and also gas, with Rep. Hank Johnson (D., Ga.) stating “the world can’t wait” any kind of longer. Gas prices floated around a 10-year high at the time.
Power the Future creator and exec supervisor Daniel Turner dismissed Pallone’s assertion that Democrats’ electrical vehicle investments have reduced expenses for American citizens, calling the comment “pure ignorance.”
“Only a career politician like Frank Pallone would think a $700 monthly lease of an electric vehicle is the solution to an $80-a-month gas price increase,” Turner told the Washington Free Beacon. “It’s pure ignorance. It’s pure political posturing from a party petrified that they will lose their majorities in a few more months.”
Pallone did not return a request for comment. During his Wednesday opening remarks, the Democrat also called alternative energy “the best way to protect Americans from oil price spikes,” given that it “is more stable, affordable, and generated right here at home.” But the average price for an electric vehicle is even more than $56,000, roughly $10,000 higher than the total automobile sector standard.In addition, China dominates the electric automobile supply chain, suggesting Democrats’ push for a green economy will likely boost America’s dependency on the communist country.
Pallone is not the only Democrat to recommend the American people to drive electrical to balance out record-high gas prices. Just days earlier, Biden informed Americans they can conserve “about $80 a month from not needing to pay gas at the pump” if they acquire an electrical auto.
“High gas prices are a feature of this administration’s policies, not a bug,” Republican congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R., Wash.) said Wednesday. “If you’re wondering what life is going to look like under the Green New Deal, you’re getting a small taste of it now. It’s not reality, and it’s not something people can afford.”
