Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) hypocrisy on gas prices (Photo: Screen capture)
Republican lawmakers are in a tough spot as fuel prices continue to spike amid the war in Iran. As MS NOW showed, GOP lawmakers in the House and Senate railed against former President Joe Biden when fuel prices went up post-pandemic and Russia invaded Ukraine.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) was asked about gas prices at the end of April, a week prior to those prices reaching the current highs.
"Well, there's nothing we can do," said Kennedy.
It contrasts with what he said on Aug. 9, 2021, during an appearance on Fox News.
"I mean, I don't like to brag about all the expensive, expensive places I've been. But earlier today I went to the gas station," said Kennedy while gas prices were just $3.19 per gallon.
"Gasoline and diesel fuel, and oil is a product of the conflict in Iran," Kennedy said last week as gas prices hit $4.03.
The reporter asked how Kennedy squares what he said with the increase in gas prices under Biden, when it was $3.30 or $3.40.
"I don't have to square anything with you," Kennedy snipped at the reporter.
On Oct. 5, 2022, when gas prices were $3.79 a gallon, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) complained that the Biden administration was talking about Tesla and battery-powered cars, "while the American people can'tafford gas."
Speaking to reporters on April 16, when fuel prices averaged $4.09, Roy promised, "We'll get gasprices down. Just we're goingthrough the important — uh, resettingthe stage on Iran."
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) said on Oct. 8, 2021, when gas prices were $3.24 a gallon, "If you've got a job, youhave to travel to your job.That means that it's going tocost you more to travel."
Yet, on April 14, when fuel averaged $4.16, Carter said, "It's a small price to pay.When you consider that he's [Donald Trump is] saving millions of lives in thefuture."
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) told Fox News on Sept. 5, 2022, "Record gas prices. I knowthey're down a little bit, butnationally, 60 percent higher thanthey were when Biden tookoffice." Gas prices at the time were $3.82 per gallon.
When he was asked on April 15 about it, Johnson said he hoped it was just a short-term thing.
"I mean, that'sone of the reasons I'mcommunicating this. We have todo this," Johnson said. Fuel prices that week averaged $4.16.
"By the way, gas prices even then were much lower than now," MS NOW Katy Tur said.
Investopedia reported on Tuesday that only eight states had fuel prices below $4 per gallon.