GOP leaders field gas-price worries from their own supporters
Gas prices are the top concern at Republican campaign events, Axios reports, as Speaker Mike Johnson blames Democrats' energy agenda and Democrats point to the Iran war 14 days before the midterms.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Gas prices were the most frequent concern raised at recent campaign events with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Axios reported, including at gatherings of Republican donors and activists. Axios says pump prices are up 37% since President Trump took office, driven by the Iran war.
Why it matters
Republicans hold the House 218-214. Fox News reports Latino voters who backed Trump in 2024 cite gas and grocery costs, and an October AP-NORC poll found about 6 in 10 Hispanic voters disapprove of his handling of the presidency.
More context
What Republicans say: Scalise acknowledged the war's effect and said prices would fall once it is resolved, but blamed Democratic energy policies for leaving the U.S. more exposed, Axios reported. "Four-dollar gas, five-dollar diesel, six-dollar diesel, totally unacceptable," Emmer told a North Carolina fundraiser. "But it ain't enough to make me vote for communists." On Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson posted that Democrats want to phase out fossil fuels "altogether" and that "we can't turn the keys of the government over to Democrats whose policies will bankrupt working families," Fox News reported.
What Democrats say: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, campaigning in Ohio, said Republicans are out of touch with voters worried about affordability, according to Fox News. Democrats tie the price spike to the war.
What each argument leaves out: Republicans' case that Democratic policy would raise prices is a forecast; the current spike came under GOP control of Washington and tracks Gulf supply fears, with Brent above $110 on Tuesday. Democrats' affordability pitch has so far offered few specific steps that would lower prices before winter, and a war-driven oil shock is largely outside Congress's direct control.
Next: Election Day is Nov. 3.
Sources across the spectrum This story cites right-leaning and left-leaning outlets. Every source is listed below.
3 listed sources
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Quotes from campaign events are as reported by Axios. The 37% increase figure is Axios's. Johnson's quotes are from his social media posts as reported by Fox News.
Like US Brief? You can support it with a tip.