Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Marion) spoke with reporters last week in Carlisle, Iowa. (RI file photo)
Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who is running for the U.S. Senate, is escalating her appeal for federal action to reduce fuel prices.
On Monday, Hinson said the gas tax should be suspended, U.S. diesel exports should be paused and a federal Diesel Relief Program should be created for farmers and truckers. She also supports reviving the one-dollar-per-gallon tax credit for biodiesel production, which expired nearly two years ago.
Early tonight Hinson posted a message on social media, saying the U.S. House should “return to DC immediately” to work on those ideas because “Americans need relief” and she pledged to “work with anyone to deliver.”
The U.S. House began a seven-week recess last Wednesday and is not scheduled to reconvene for votes until November 9. Hinson has opposed House Resolutions directing President Trump to halt the war in Iran, but this week Hinson said the war needs to be brought “to a successful and immediate end.” Josh Turek, the Democrat running against Hinson for Iowa’s open Senate seat, said the Iran war “has sent diesel prices to record highs” and “Iowans are hurting because of the war Hinson has voted seven times to continue.”
Two other Iowans serving in the House — Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Congressman Zach Nunn — broke with their fellow Republicans last week, expressed opposition to an “open-ended war” and joined Democrats to pass the resolution to limit Trump’s war powers.
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of diesel in Iowa was $6.31 today. That’s 21 cents higher than a week ago and about $2.78 higher than a year ago.
