Jared Huffman

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is “thrilled” about the current gas prices.

The U.S. war against Iran has sent gas prices across the country skyrocketing over the last two months with no clear relief in sight. U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) pressed Burgum during a House hearing on Wednesday about the rising costs of gas.

“While you’re funneling billions into these vanity projects, gas is up by an average of $1.40 a gallon from last year. In March, President Trump posted this message. He said the ‘United States is the largest oil producer in the world by far. So when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money.’ Who’s the we?” Huffman asked, referring to President Donald Trump’s construction projects in Washington, D.C.

“Well, it could be states, the federal government, the American people, when we collect royalty rates on oil production on federal lands, and so prices are higher than there’s more revenue coming into the system,” Burgum responded.

Huffman then asked: “So this is good for American families, that they’re paying $1.40 more a gallon for gas?”

Burgum responded by referencing the record-high gas prices during former President Joe Biden’s administration. Gas prices peaked in June 2022 at a national average of $5.02 per gallon, but those prices came down during the second half of Biden’s term.

“Not saying that, but I’m thrilled that they’re paying about a buck less than they were during the Biden administration. I mean, that’s exciting. And these prices are going to drop quickly again, because now we actually have supply,” Burgum said.

As of Wednesday morning, AAA is reporting that the national average price of gas is about $4.51 per gallon. This is drastically up from the national average of $3.15 per gallon one year ago, according to AAA.

Huffman suggested Burgum’s answer was out-of-touch with Americans who are paying more at the pump.

“There’s a real disconnect here. Americans are not celebrating this spike in gas prices that you seem to think is just great, and your only answer is to harken back to the depths of the pandemic,” Huffman said.

Burgum then falsely argued that the high prices were “a year ago,” despite the record-high gas prices being about four years ago. Huffman responded by emphasizing that it is the billionaires who are making more off the high gas prices.

“Americans are paying $1.40 more a gallon, and there’s no end in sight to this energy crisis created by the war in Iran. They’re the ones who can’t afford to keep the lights on and put food on the table, but the ‘we’ that’s making a lot more money, or let’s be honest about it, it’s the big oil billionaires,” Huffman said.