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Former Vice President Mike Pence joins AFP in highlighting how the high cost of gas is harming Hoosiers

Aug 3, 2022 by AFP

True Cost of Washington Tour logo that reads, "Pay More, Get Less" - a reference to Washington's failed policies that are driving inflation, gas prices, and the high cost of living in 2022.

While the White House is touting a few weeks of gas price declines, Americans know the cost of gas over time has increased dramatically.

In fact, the average cost of gas in 2022 has not been below $4 a gallon since February.

Americans for Prosperity’s True Cost of Washington tour continues to travel across the United States, dropping gas prices for thousands of consumers and highlighting the affordable energy solutions that actually would reduce gas prices.

Former Vice President Mike Pence joined the tour recently in Hobart, Indiana.

In a Twitter post, he noted that, in 2022, the average American will spend nearly $1,500 more on gasoline than they did in 2021. He also explained inflation means Americans are being forced to spend an extra $5,500 just to maintain their 2021 standard of living.

Bad policies have led to rising cost of gas over time

The former vice president joined AFP Managing Director Kent Strang to discuss the Biden administration policies that have led to a high cost of gas in 2022.

Vice President Pence said the Biden administration has shut down energy development, reduced leases for oil and gas exploration, and eliminated infrastructure projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline and Dakota Access Pipeline that would have transported energy in a more environmentally friendly way than by rail or truck.

These disastrous policies have had disastrous consequences. When the former vice president departed the White House on January 20, 2021, the average price of a gallon of gas was $2.38. Now it is well above $4 a gallon.

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks with customers about the high cost of gas at AFP's True Cost of Washington gas rollback event in Hobart, Indiana.

Hobart, Indiana – August 2, 2022: Former Vice President Mike Pence hears from customers about how the high cost of gas is affecting their families.

For nearly three hours on August 2, about 200 Hoosiers paid the January 2021 price of gas at Luke Convenience Store and Gas Station in Hobart. The Chicago Tribune, ABC-7 in Chicago, WGN-TV, and other media outlets covered the event.

“It was such a blessing, I saved about $20 in gas today,” Corey Laseter of Hobart told the Northwest Indiana Times. “To have someone to give back, for me to leave my house and see this surprise, it just makes my day.”

Niki cried with Niki needed relief from the rising cost of gas over time. Here she is with AFP Managing Director Kent Strang at the gas pump during AFP's True Cost of Washington event.

Hobart, Indiana – August 2, 2022: AFP Managing Director Kent Strang with Niki, one of the grateful customers at AFP’s True Cost of Washington event with former Vice President Mike Pence.

Niki was another customer who came by Luke to get gas. She is a foster mother of four who also has been raising her two grandchildren since her daughter passed away.

Niki is just one of the millions of Americans struggling to bear the burden of the rising cost of gas in 2022. She cried tears of joy when her tank was filled.

“You all brought real relief to Hoosiers today,” said the former vice president.

The affordable energy solutions that could reduce the cost of gas in 2022

“We’re trying to use this [event] to provide some temporary relief, but really to highlight the good policies to get these prices down permanently and provide people permanent relief across the economy,” AFP-Indiana State Director Josh Webb told the Northwest Indiana Times.

The first step to reducing the cost of gas over time is to unleash production by expanding oil and gas exploration offshore and on public lands. Federal lawmakers also should:

  • Ensure the Strategic Petroleum Reserve cannot be tapped as a solution for poor policy decisions
  • Reform the National Environmental Policy Act to remove barriers to energy innovation, infrastructure, and environmental progress
  • Enact the Paris Transparency and Accountability Act, which would require the U.S. president to report to Congress before proposing new or revised actions under the Paris agreement

Former Vice President Pence told AFP’s Strang,

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Allow the responsible development of all of America’s God-given natural resources. We will lower the cost of energy; we will become a net exporter of energy once again. By unleashing American energy, we’ll get America turned around.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence with AFP-Indiana State Director Josh Webb at AFP's True Cost of Washington event to provide Hoosiers with relief from the rising cost of gas over time.

Hobart, Indiana – August 2, 2022: Former Vice President Mike Pence with AFP-Indiana State Director Josh Webb

Hoosiers are spending “a lot of extra money” when there are better solutions available to reduce the high cost of gas

“With the high cost of gas and groceries families make real tradeoffs,” Strang said. “Many of the people at our Hobart event indicated that our event would allow them to get through the week or allow them to buy more groceries.”

Jayme Wampler of Portage told The Chicago Tribune inflation has kept her family at home more and that they are getting by with food stamps and a local food pantry.

Anton Jackson of Gary told the Northwest Indiana Times he has not been filling up his tank much because the cost of gas in 2022 is so high:

“You’re spending more money at the gas pump, even the dollar store. You’re spending an extra 25 cents for almost everything there. Overall you’re spending a lot of extra money, and it adds up in the long run.”

Reducing government spending, cutting regulatory red tape, and implementing affordable energy solutions will bring relief to Hoosiers like Corey, Niki, and Anton.

Landing page for AFP's True Cost of Washington Tour to lower the cost of gas in 2022 and connect people to how Washington's failed policies are causing inflation and high grocery bills. Join the True Cost of Washington Tour today.

Join the movement to make life more affordable for all Americans. 

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