Press Releases

Vice Chairman Johnson: Washington Democrats’ Spin Over Inflation and Gas Prices is Outrageous

Democrats are working overtime to deny responsibility for the results of their policies

Washington, March 17, 2022

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2022 — During remarks on the House floor, U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) said Washington Democrats’ blame game is in “full swing” over inflation and rising gas prices.

“Washington Democrats' latest fiction might be their greatest yet,” Johnson said. “That the past year of steady, unrelenting price increases for gas and consumer goods is actually Vladimir Putin’s fault.”

“But Vladimir Putin didn’t kill the Keystone pipeline—Joe Biden did,” Johnson continued. “Vladimir Putin didn’t ban drilling for oil on federal lands—Joe Biden did. Vladimir Putin didn’t pass trillions upon trillions in unnecessary government spending in a single year—Joe Biden and the Washington Democrats did.”

“What is so hard about just being honest with the American people?” Johnson concluded. “President Biden should accept responsibility for the past year of rising prices and pledge to do everything in his power to make it easier, not harder, for America to produce more oil and gas. This would lower prices for the American people and make our country and Europe less dependent on foreign energy.”

On Wednesday evening, Johnson led an hour of House Republican floor speeches on America’s energy crisis.

Click for video of the Congressman’s remarks or read his full remarks below:

“The national average price for a gallon of gas reached $4.32 on Sunday. That is the highest price is U.S. history.

“Last Thursday, we also learned that U.S. inflation soared 7.9% over the past 12 months. The largest spike in consumer prices in 40 years.

“And now, the Washington Democrats’ blame game is in full swing:

  • At first, according to Democrats, inflation wasn’t happening.
  • Then, inflation was merely ‘transitory.’
  • Then, inflation somehow only hurt rich folks.

“But Washington Democrats' latest fiction might be their greatest yet:

“That the past year of steady, unrelenting price increases for gas and consumer goods is actually Vladimir Putin’s fault.

  • Vladimir Putin didn’t kill the Keystone pipeline—Joe Biden did.
  • Vladimir Putin didn’t ban drilling for oil on federal lands—Joe Biden did.
  • Vladimir Putin didn’t pass trillions upon trillions in unnecessary government spending in a single year—Joe Biden and the Washington Democrats did.

“What is so hard about just being honest with the American people?

“President Biden should accept responsibility for the past year of rising prices and pledge to correct course.

“The President should do everything in his power to make it easier, not harder, for America to produce more oil and gas. This would lower prices for the American people and make our country and Europe less dependent on foreign energy.

“Instead, President Biden says he actually ‘can't do much right now’ about skyrocketing gas prices…

“Now that the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats know they are in a tight spot, here’s the thing: they are trying to convince the American people that an American President can’t control gas prices in the United States, but Russia’s can.

“Good luck with that.”

Representatives Dan Meuser (PA), Tom Tiffany (WI), Doug LaMalfa (CA), Brian Babin (TX), Tim Burchett (TN), Jerry Carl (AL), John Rose (TN), Andrew Clyde (GA), Scott Franklin (FL), and Michelle Steel (CA) joined Representative Johnson to deliver remarks on the House floor.

Congressman Johnson is the Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference, a member of the House Judiciary and Armed Services Committees, and a former constitutional law litigator.