US Democrats continue to slam 'Putin price hike' amid high gas prices

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Democrats continued their attempts to pin blame on Russian President Vladimir Putin for elevated gas prices with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi slamming the "Putin price hike" on Thursday.

Pelosi, the senior-most Democrat in the House of Representatives, said the party is doing "everything" it can to "minimize the Putin price hike at home."

The comments come after the Biden administration sought to blame record-breaking prices at the gas pump on Putin's war against Ukraine, which began Feb. 24.

Prices for Brent crude had been climbing all year but they dramatically accelerated following the Russian military operation. They hit all-time highs March 8, the same day US President Joe Biden announced a ban on imports of Russian oil amid bipartisan pressure for him to take the action.

Gas prices alongside high levels of inflation have been a political cudgel ahead of midterm elections in November, with the Biden administration seeking to downplay its role as Republicans pounce on pocketbook pains being experienced by Americans.

Inflation is at its highest level in four decades, sitting at nearly 8%, which does not bode well for Democrats maintaining their hold on both houses of Congress.

Biden's approval ratings, meanwhile, remain largely unfavorable with about 52% holding negative views of his performance, according to an aggregate of nationwide polling compiled by the FiveThirtyEight website.