Gas rebate cards for Americans? Biden administration ‘considering’ the move
by Nexstar Media Wire and Jeremy Tanner - 06/20/22 6:25 PM ET
(NEXSTAR) – President Biden said Monday that gas rebate cards are one action his administration is considering to alleviate the pain of seemingly ever-rising gas prices in the U.S.
Biden, speaking to reporters Monday on the beach near his Delaware vacation house, confirmed that he was open to the idea, according to CNN.
The 46th president said gas cards are “part of what we’re considering, that’s part of the whole operation.”
President Joe Biden talks to the media after walking on the beach with his granddaughter Natalie Biden, left, and his daughter Ashley Biden, right, Monday, June 20, 2022 at Rehoboth Beach, Del. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
As of Monday, the national average price of regular gasoline was just shy of $5 per gallon – nearly $2 higher than it was a year ago, according to AAA.
Gas rebate cards are one of several financial salves to help Americans weather spiking fuel costs, but the proposal has run into resistance in the past. When the White House considered rebates two months ago, a House Democratic counsel panned the suggestion, concluding that it might have the unintended effect of driving inflation, as well as being a pricy, poorly-targeted solution.
Senior White House aides also had concerns that the ongoing U.S. microchip shortage could make it hard to produce sufficient rebate cards, and it could be difficult to prevent people from using the money to buy something other than gas, according to The Washington Post.
It’s not yet clear how much money households might receive via the rebate cards, nor who might receive them.
Gas rebate cards are just one of several tactics the Biden administration is considering as the White House hopes to turn around foundering poll numbers before fall elections.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/3530145-gas-rebate-cards-for-americans-biden-administration-considering-the-move/