91��Ƶ

Democrats, Schumer said, are pursuing policies designed to lower everyday expenses. (Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press)

WASHINGTON — High fuel prices tied to the U.S. conflict with Iran were atop the congressional agenda as senior lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill on April 13 after a two-week recess.

Democratic leaders said they worked over the Easter break to focus on affordability issues facing households, including fuel, housing and health care costs.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑N.Y.) pointed to gas prices above $4 a gallon and broader inflationary pressures that are squeezing families, arguing Republicans have failed to address rising costs. Democrats, he said, are pursuing policies designed to lower everyday expenses.

Gasoline prices have climbed during the Iran conflict, drawing political scrutiny in a midterm election year and intensifying calls for clarity on the Trump administration’s strategy and consumer relief.

“Inflation is rising again, driven in part by a spike in energy costs, so Americans are paying the price there. Mortgage rates are climbing. Consumer confidence has hit record lows,” Schumer said April 14.

“[President] Donald Trump is leading our troops into a literal minefield abroad — and leading American families into an economic minefield here at home.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also from New York, echoed those concerns April 15, saying the administration’s objectives in Iran had not been met and pointing to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as a factor driving higher fuel prices.

Republican leaders, meanwhile, claim economic measures enacted under the Trump administration have provided tax relief to workers and retirees. Overall, they argue, the GOP agenda is addressing affordability issues.

Image

Thune. (Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press)

To that point, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑S.D.) recently cited deductions for seniors, auto loan interest on American-made vehicles and overtime pay, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Republicans supported tax legislation allowing Americans to keep more of their income.

“While Republicans are making it easier to build and invest in America, Democrats want a return to the policies that ship American jobs overseas,” the speaker said on April 15. “While Republicans are working to make everyday life easier and more affordable, Democrats want to go back to the nightmare of Bidenomics. It’s common sense versus crazy.”

Republicans also criticized Democrats over stalled bipartisan talks that would fund the Department of 91��Ƶland Security. Thune said the department’s shutdown contributed to recent disruptions at airport security lines. DHS supports agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard.

Trump has said the conflict with Iran could soon end, and the White House has repeatedly said rising fuel prices are a temporary issue. According to AAA, the national average gasoline price rose to $4.10 a gallon as of April 15, up from $3.69 last month.

On Capitol Hill, Republican-led appropriations panels have yet to schedule markups on the fiscal 2027 transportation funding bill as negotiations to end the DHS shutdown continue.

Under the White House’s recently unveiled fiscal 2027 budget proposal, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would receive $946 million. That includes $398 million for motor carrier safety operations and programs and $548 million for safety grants.

The Department of Transportation said the funding request is meant to allow FMCSA to continue targeting high-risk carriers and behaviors, reduce service barriers and deploy modern tools to improve safety and regulatory effectiveness.

The White House’s budget blueprint also proposes $66.2 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, $16.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, $2.8 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration and $1.3 billion for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.