President Biden on Wednesday rejected criticism that his latest release of oil from the US Strategic Reserve was politically motivated as the White House aims to lower gasoline prices just weeks before the midterm elections. of period.
“It’s not politically motivated,” Biden told reporters after announcing plans to release another 15 million barrels of fuel from the country’s reserves.
“He’s motivated by making sure that I continue to push what I’ve been pushing, and that is to make sure that companies pump enough oil so that we have the ability to be able to produce enough gas that we need here in the United States while still moving forward in the direction of providing alternative energy,” he continued.
Biden lashed out at Republicans, arguing they hadn’t paid attention to his efforts to lower gasoline prices. “Where have they been for the last four months? That’s my answer,” he said.
Biden’s announcement is the latest withdrawal from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after he originally authorized the release of 180 million barrels over several months in March.
The president also outlined plans to replenish the reserve by buying more oil once prices fall below $70 a barrel.
The president and his team have been focused on lowering the price of gasoline for months, as fuel costs have been a part of the inflation that has dragged down the economy.
Polls have revealed that the economy is the most pressing issue for many voters as they prepare to go to the polls next month.
During the summer the average price of a gallon of gasoline shot up to more than $5 a gallon before falling to about $3 a gallon. But they have started to rise in some parts of the country, rising an average of about 20 cents over the past month to $3.85 a gallon.
