House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is rejecting the idea that Americans are blaming Democrats for higher gas prices.
During a press conference on Thursday, she was asked by Fox News’ Chad Pergram, “Do you think the public is blaming Democrats” for higher gas prices?”
“No, I don’t think the public is blaming Democrats. I think they’re blaming the oil companies,” Pelosi responded.
She continued, “They will blame all of us if we don’t do something about the fossil fuel industry.”
However, Pergram asked if Americans will punish Democrats in the midterm elections over higher gas prices.
“I don’t think that what you’re saying is making very much sense, frankly,” the California Democrat responded.
She added, “In all fairness, we’re friends. Candor is part of our friendship.”
Watch the video below:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains optimistic that Democrats won’t be 'blamed' for high U.S. gas prices:
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) April 28, 2022
'If the Republicans stand in the way of us freeing the consumer of the stranglehold of Big Oil, you think they’re going to blame that on the Democrats?' pic.twitter.com/XTA6ZTh9gj
Instead, Pelosi asked, “If the Republicans stand in the way of us freeing the consumer of the stranglehold of Big Oil, you think they’re going to blame that on the Democrats?”
“You think that. You think that, OK,” she added.
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas is $4.14, up from $2.88 a year ago.
Gas prices reached seven-year highs last year, but surged even higher after Russia invaded Ukraine.
And a CBS News/YouGov poll released earlier this month shows that a majority of Americans believe President Joe Biden can do more to address price spikes.
Sixty-five percent of respondents said they believe he can do more, while 35% say he is “doing all he can.”
Biden has blamed Russia and oil companies for the higher prices.
He has also made an exception to an environmental rule and announced a plan in March to release 1 million barrels of oil a day from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for the next six months.
