On the recordJuly 13, 2022
Madam President, over the July 4 recess of Congress, I held Q&A's in 17 counties as part of my annual 99 county meetings. The need for energy independence and the concerns over soaring gas prices were raised at nearly every meeting. As an example, at Woodford Equipment in Emmetsburg, IA, farmers raised their concerns over the high cost of diesel and their pricey commutes to work at that business caused by President Biden's failed energy policies. Today is a very difficult time for American families and businesses, with gas and diesel prices at record highs--more than doubling since President Biden took office. Americans who drive every day are feeling the impact of an administration that is making it harder to drill and refine fossil fuels. President Biden has stated that it is the administration's goal to have half of the Nation's vehicles be electric by the year 2030. The Energy Secretary has said that to beat the high gas prices, Americans should purchase electric vehicles. Now, that is practically impossible for most families because the average price of an electric vehicle, according to Kelley Blue Book, is $56,000. That happens to be roughly equivalent to Iowa's median family income. Even if having half of all cars be electric by 2030 were attainable-- which, of course, it isn't--that presents yet another real problem. Large swaths of the United States' electrical grid are at risk for shortfall this summer.…