CNBC’s Kernen Schools Scalise On Gas Prices

CNBC’s Joe Kernen questioned Rep. Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) memory on gas prices as the lawmaker claimed prices rose to $6 a gallon two years ago. The two were speaking on “Squawk Box” when Kernen pressed Scalise on…

Sandra RhodesApr 30, 20263 min read

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Scalise doubled down on his claim.

“We were over 30% below where we were just two years ago. Today we are 30% below where we where two years. It’s still going to go lower when Iran gets resolved and the Strait of Hormuz gets open,” the lawmaker said. “But at the same time did anybody want a nuclear-armed Iran? I think if you ask most normal people they would say absolutely not, when they just slaughtered 30,000 of their own people. They were about to get a nuclear weapon and President Trump stopped that, but that’s going to get resolved.”

“You must have been on vacation in California. I think two years ago in April of 2024, we were at about $3.65, so we’re actually above where we were then,” Kernen said.

“We were well into the fives under Biden,” Scalise said.

“At one point. Not two years ago,” Kernen said. “We were at $3.65 two years ago.”

“Most of energy production shut down. Energy in the Gulf of America was shut down, Alaska was shut down. We opened that up, by the way, in the working families tax cut,” Scalise said.

“Right, but exactly two years ago was $3.65-$3.67,” Kernen replied. “And I’m not saying that $4 or whatever it is now, that the long-term goals that we’re trying to accomplish in the Middle East, I’m saying it’s not worth it for a brief time. But it’s definitely going to hurt people, obviously, this summer.”