Republican Infighting Derails GOP Plans To Lower Gas And Diesel Prices Before Election Day

Senate Republicans have failed to agree on a plan to lower gas and diesel prices before the midterms, split over which ideas would work.

Republicans representing oil-refining states blocked farm-state proposals to halt diesel exports and loosen limits on E15, a gasoline blend with more ethanol, while budget hawks opposed suspending the federal gas tax, The Hill reported Thursday. Republican senators doubted any of the proposals would lower prices much before the Nov. 3 election.

Republican senators have blamed voter anger over gas and diesel prices for putting GOP-leaning Senate races in Kansas and Nebraska in play, and polls also show a close race in Iowa, outlet reported in September.

The offices of Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.

Diesel averaged $6.28 a gallon nationwide Thursday, up from $3.68 a year ago, and regular gasoline averaged $4.36, up from $3.12, according to American Automobile Association (AAA) data.

“Our members have been feeling the pain at the pump for months as diesel prices have climbed. Market stability is essential to bring down costs for the long haul,” an Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association spokesperson said in a statement to the DCNF.

Grassley first pitched a 90-day halt to diesel exports in mid-September, according to The Hill.

“We need to concentrate on affordability for this election,” he told the outlet Sept. 14.

Republican North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer argued that a ban could push diesel prices higher.