Jen Psaki Pushes Back Against Gas Price Complaints for Memorial Day Weekend: ‘Paying Less In Real Terms’ Than Last 15 Years

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White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki pushed back on complaints about gas prices going into the heavy travel period of Memorial Day Weekend, saying that even at round three dollars a gallon, Americans “are paying less in real terms for gas than they have on average over the last 15 years.”

In a statement timed to the holiday, Psaki addressed the increase in gasoline prices that was spurred by the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline due to a ransomware attack, and tried to place the uptick into historical perspective.

Psaki wrote that Americans “are paying less in real terms for gas than they have on average over the last 15 years—and they’re paying about the same as they did in May 2018 and May 2019.”

Psaki noted that demand for gas is higher because of the declining coronavirus threat, and said that “while prices have increased from the lows last year—as demand drastically dipped—prices at just about $3 per gallon are still well in-line with what they’ve been in recent decades”:

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Memorial Day Weekend Gas Prices

Across America, the pandemic is in retreat. As we continue to make progress, and our life returns to normal, Americans are eager to make up for lost time, and more people are traveling this Memorial Day weekend.

And as Americans are hitting the road, they are paying less in real terms for gas than they have on average over the last 15 years—and they’re paying about the same as they did in May 2018 and May 2019.

The Administration’s success in beating the pandemic and getting our economy back on track has led to increased demand for gas as the country re-opens. But, while prices have increased from the lows last year—as demand drastically dipped—prices at just about $3 per gallon are still well in-line with what they’ve been in recent decades.

And since last week, prices have already stabilized after a spike earlier this month, as the Colonial Pipeline is fully flowing, and the supply situation returns to normal. This is due in part to the administration’s aggressive, whole-of-government response to the unprecedented shutdown of that pipeline.

While oil prices are shaped by global forces, the President knows that gas prices are a pain point for Americans—especially the middle-class families he’s put at the center of his economic agenda. That’s why President Biden is opposed any proposals to raise the gas tax. And it’s why we will continue to monitor prices, and are glad that Americans can get on the road again.

According to AAA, average gasoline prices have increased since Monday — by a penny a gallon. The national average is now 14 cents higher than it was before the pipeline shut down.