[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5103-H5104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PAIN AT THE PUMP

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, this gas price surge we are seeing at the 
pump wasn't caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It wasn't caused by 
COVID-19. It isn't transitory.
  It is not even caused by price gouging some are alleging by oil 
companies or gas stations. Indeed, the U.S. Secretary of Energy said 
there is no gouging due to that.
  No, they are all excuses President Biden has tried to use to shift 
blame for the increasing prices that he is causing himself.
  Mr. President, we know the truth. The American people know the truth. 
Sir, your price hike was caused by day one anti-American energy 
policies.
  Gas prices have increased every single month under the Biden 
administration, from his first day in office canceling Keystone, 
suspending oil and gas leasing on Federal lands, and draining our 
Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

[[Page H5104]]

  He has also emboldened Putin by removing sanctions on the Nord Stream 
2, therefore making Europe more dependent on Soviet-style energy.
  President Biden hasn't taken responsibility for his failed policies. 
Instead, he is trying to cover them up or blame others.
  We must flip the switch on American energy production and reverse the 
Biden failed energy agenda. Putin is making a killing because of this.
  We have the wherewithal in this country to influence world prices by 
producing ourselves.

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