Biden Condemns Oil, Gas 'War Profiteering;' Threatens Windfall Tax
On Monday, US Pres. Biden called on oil and gas companies to invest their profits in lowering costs at the pump and increasing production or risk facing a higher tax rate. This comes a week before the US midterm elections, with Republicans reportedly favored to win a House majority
Facts
- On Monday, US Pres. Biden called on oil and gas companies to invest their profits in lowering costs at the pump and increasing production or risk facing a higher tax rate. This comes a week before the US midterm elections, with Republicans reportedly favored to win a House majority, while the Senate is a close race.
- In a speech from the White House, Biden took aim at five of the biggest oil companies that have reportedly seen earnings soar as oil and gasoline prices surged this year — an "outrageous" advantage Biden says stems from the war in Ukraine.
- Biden accused the oil giants of war profiteering, saying the oil companies' "record profits today are not because they're doing something new or innovative. The profits are a windfall of war."
- While the president didn't explicitly endorse a “windfall” tax, he said he would consult with Congress on legislative options when it returns from recess after the election. This follows last week's report that Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Shell Oil reported Q3 profits totaling about $40B.
- Biden's comments come as, in the run-up to the midterms, polls suggest that economic concerns could be an obstacle to Democrats, with just 40% of voters approving of how the White House has addressed the economy. According to the American Automobile Association, the average cost of gas is currently $3.76. While this is lower than the record high of over $5 in June, it's up from $3.40 last year.
Sources: Reuters, New York Times, UPI, Politico, and New York Post.
Narratives
- Republican narrative, as provided by The Federalist. This latest move to bully corporations is nothing more than a desperate attempt to salvage the midterm elections. Biden's proposal of yet another dangerous policy will only increase energy prices and energy poverty while making America more reliant on foreign countries for its daily energy needs.
- Democratic narrative, as provided by The Washington Post. Biden is right to threaten energy companies that are driven by unadorned greed. While the average American struggles to make ends meet, oil and gas companies have taken advantage of the oil scarcity and racked up huge profits, and it's time this ends. Windfall taxes would ensure excess oil profits go back to help the Americans who are getting ripped off at the pump.
