White House officials and President Biden are engaged in rhetorical tricks to defend their record on domestic oil production. Biden’s administration repeatedly emphasized the fact that oil production was higher in Biden’s first term than it was in Trump’s.
Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, stated Monday that the United States produced more oil in 2017 than President Trump’s first year.
Biden made a similar statement Tuesday when he announced a ban on Russian imports of energy. Biden stated, “Even during the pandemics, American companies pumped more oil in my first year of office than they did in my predecessor’s first.”
However, the White House’s framing overlooks a crucial fact: although domestic oil production was higher in 2021 than in 2017, it was still lower than in 2018 and 2019, federal statistics show.
This White House spin is occurring amid growing Democratic anxiety about political consequences of record-setting gas prices in advance of the midterm election.
Biden warned Americans Tuesday that the US ban on Russian oil imports could cause financial hardship for American families.
Biden stated that Putin’s war on Ukraine is already affecting American families at the gas pumps since Putin started his military buildup along the Ukrainian border. It’s only going to get worse with this new action. I will do my best to reduce Putin’s price rise here at home, and coordinate with our partners.
Republicans claim that high gas prices will fuel a red wave during the midterm elections.
“Historically, inflation works against Washington’s party in power,” Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), told Fox News Digital.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) echoed this sentiment.
Scalise stated that Speaker Pelosi and President Biden will be major issues in November’s election.