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U.S. Senator Deb Fischer and her republican collogues criticized the Biden Administration’s handling of inflation on Thursday.
Inflation is hurting Americans, Fischer said, adding the president’s responses so far have been unacceptable.
“How are small businesses going to make it when they have input costs that continue to rise?," Fischer asked during a press conference. "How are people on a fixed income and are seniors going to be able to pay for a tank of gas – to pay for groceries at a grocery store?”
Inflation is up nearly 8% in the Midwest region, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fischer and other Senate Republicans said more should be done to combat the rise of everyday prices like gas. In Nebraska, the average price per gallon is approaching $4, according to AAA data. That's 40 cents cheaper than the national average right now.
The war in Ukraine is the major driver behind the increase in gas prices, as Russia faces economic sanctions for their attacks on their neighbor.
A part of the solution to that problem, Fischer said, is weaning America off its reliance on Russian oil. "As an ethanol producing state, we need to look at a clean, renewable energy in ethanol – in biofuels.”
Fischer stressed the Biden Administration should be prioritizing American energy producers instead of possibly turning to Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran for oil. Five other Senate Republicans echoed Fischer comments on Thursday and said inflation is among their constituents top issues headed into the midterm elections.