McConnell: Obama Wants Higher Gas Prices

Speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., criticized the White House’s energy policy, claiming President Obama wants higher gas prices.Across the country the average cost for a gallon of gas is $3.76 and it went up for 27 consecutive days. The Oil Price Information Service projects the nationwide average could peak at $4.25 per gallon in late April.McConnell says the administration hasn't pursued an energy strategy to address the increase, adding it failed to support the Keystone XL pipeline project."In fact, when it comes to the rising cost of gas at the pump, it’s my view that the administration’s policies are actually designed on purpose to bring about higher gas prices, a view that shouldn’t be the least bit controversial given the fact that the president’s own energy secretary has suggested on a couple of occasions now that his goal isn’t to drive gas prices down," he says.During a news conference on Tuesday, President Obama scoffed at the suggestion he wants costs at the pump to increase in order to push alternative energy sources. He warned that there is no quick fix to lowering gas prices, but pointed out that the administration has instructed the attorney general to investigate whether speculators were driving up the price of oil.But McConnell says Mr. Obama has chosen to favor alternative energy companies for political purposes rather than support legitimate policies."If the president wants Americans to think he’s serious about lowering gas prices, he’s got to do more than simply say no president would want higher prices ‘in an election year.'," says McConnell. "He’s got to get serious about changing his policies. And he might want to consider an energy secretary that’s more committed to helping the American people than in helping the administration’s buddies in the solar panel business."