The White House claims there is no double standard when it comes to the way the administration is responding to gas prices.
During a White House press briefing on Monday, a reporter asked if the administration is “having it both ways” when it comes to gas prices.
He noted that when gas prices increase the White House argues it has nothing to do with President Joe Biden but when they drop he wants to take credit for it.
Jared Bernstein, a senior economic adviser, replied, “Uh, look, I think that, uh, that there is no ‘both ways’ thinking here at all.”
He added, “The president has reacted from the beginning talking about how this was such an important priority to alleviate these pressures on behalf of the American people.”
Bernstein stressed that he “very much” disagrees “with that framing.”
Watch his comments below:
'Putin's fault' when gas prices rise – but Biden takes credit when they drop?
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) July 18, 2022
Newsmax Chief White House Correspondent @JamesRosenTV presses a Biden economic advisor on this 'both ways' narrative. https://t.co/mgkGoLzuv7 pic.twitter.com/RqZkXzRags
The president received some criticism on Twitter after attempting to point out the drop in gas prices, as IJR reported.
“Gas prices have been dropping for 34 days straight, about 50 cents a gallon. That saves the average driver about $25 a month,” Biden tweeted.
He added, “I know those extra dollars and cents mean something. It’s breathing room. And we’re not done working to get prices even lower.”
Last month, Biden blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the spike in gas prices.
“We could have turned a blind eye to Putin’s murderous ways,” Biden said.
He claimed the price of gas “wouldn’t have spiked the way it has. I believe that would have been wrong.”
CNN reported on Monday that nearly one in five gas stations is charging under $4 for a gallon of gas.
The outlet noted that amounts to roughly 24,000 stations across the nation.