Everyone across the country is now feeling the high price of gas, but Santa Clarita residents deal with some of the longest commutes in the country. Because of that, the recent rise in gasoline prices strains our community more than the average American. 

The national average price for one gallon of gas has risen by nearly 30% over the past month, disproportionately affecting those who drive back and forth from work, placing an additional burden on Santa Clarita Valley families at a time when costs across the board are rising. 

Just this past week, as I drove to my Santa Clarita district office, I often saw gas prices over $6/gallon in many stations. People have called and written in to my office to share that because of the high costs they have had to cut down on other expenses, such as going out to eat, shopping, and attending sporting events. 

There are a few key reasons that the price of oil is rocketing up right now.  It is surprising and unacceptable that the Administration apparently did not anticipate this probable outcome of a conflict with Iran, and did not seem to prepare a plan for what it would in response. 

I have been using my position on the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees the Department of Defense, to ask for answers and a plan to bring down prices, for families in our area and across the country.

Three weeks ago, during a closed door meeting with Elbridge Colby, the under secretary of defense for policy, I asked if the Department of Defense had discussed the potential rise in oil prices before they sent our troops into this conflict, or made projections about high gas prices could get over the course of the conflict.  Others raised that the Administration failed to fully fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve – our government’s supply of emergency oil designed to prevent the U.S. from going through significant disruptions in our petroleum supply – last year when costs were low. Although the president promised to fill it “right to the top” at the start of his term, the administration has kept the SPR hovering around 60%, and with prices nearing all time highs, it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to use the SPR anytime soon to bring down prices in the way it’s designed.

After receiving no response from DoD officials, I made my concerns public. On March 18, I questioned Joseph Humire, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas security affairs, about their preparation for this situation, and if they had done any analysis on how high prices could get. I made a direct ask for a timeline, and when I could expect answers by. I’m still waiting on a response.  

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, we have to do everything we can to make sure the price of gas does not put an even greater financial strain on families that are already hurting from high prices of everyday goods. We should think creatively about what we can do in California as well to moderate gas prices and lower transportation costs. I will not stop pushing for transparency on how this administration plans to handle the rise in oil and gas prices. 

If I can ever help you or your family with an issue, do not hesitate to reach out to my office. I am your voice in Washington, and I will keep fighting for you.

Rep. George Whitesides represents California’s 27th Congressional District. “Democratic Voices” appears Tuesdays and rotates among several local Democrats.

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