Appearing on MSNBC Thursday morning, Republican Pennsylvania Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick completely dismantled the left-wing cable channel’s attempt to parrot false Biden White House spin that the Russian invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago was responsible for months of surging inflation and gas prices. A GOP lawmaker discredited the ridiculous talking point by conducting a real-time fact check.
“Breaking news, the new numbers just out this morning shows inflation rose 7.9% year over year in February….At the same time, gas prices reached another record, $4.32 a gallon this morning,”At the beginning of the segment, anchor Chris Jansing made the announcement. Moments later she called in Congressman Fitzpatrick, and it was too late.
Let’s talk money first here at home, if we can, Congressman. The House approved the Russian oil-and energy product ban last night. You supported it.This ban was announced by President Biden earlier in the week. It is clear that the overwhelming majority of Americans support this ban, according to polls. When you consider the numbers for gas prices, however, You have to wonder how much longer Americans will be able to hold on when you consider the inflation figures. What’s your thought on that?
Fitzpatrick quickly set to work dismantling the belief that the recent war in Ukraine was responsible for long-term inflation, spiking gas prices and poor Biden administration policy. “…a very small percentage of the bump-up in gas prices has to do with the conflict in eastern Europe right now.”
He pointed out many decisions made by President Trump that had actually caused the huge hit on the American people’s wallets: “We’ve been seeing gas prices rise throughout the entirety of the past year due largely to energy policy that’s adopted over the past year – shutting down the Keystone XL pipeline, giving the thumbs down to the…eastern Mediterranean pipeline from Israel going to Europe, and green-lighting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which thankfully has now been eliminated.”
He emphasized: “But there have been a lot of decisions that have been made over the past year, Chris, that have led to higher gas prices.”
Trying to change the subject, Jansing touted a group of Democratic governors – including Pennsylvania’s Tom Wolf – urging a gas tax holiday gimmick to offer temporary relief: “Well, let me ask you about this, because your governor, Tom Wolf, joined the governors of five other states this week calling for a federal gas tax holiday. Is that something you support?”
While Fitzpatrick endorsed the idea “if it helps give relief at the pump,” he reiterated: “…but, you know, I think it’s important, Chris, that we dissect properly and break down what is all part and parcel to the increase in prices we’re seeing, particularly – ”
Jansing, frustrated, cut him off “You know, I understand that, Congressman, but don’t you think – and look, you’re a politician, you know this better than I do, people just are looking and saying, ‘Can you help us, can you give us some relief?’”
It was actually the second day in a row that a guest veered from MSNBC’s typical leftist narrative while talking to Jansing. It’s awkward when the pundits and politicians brought on the show do a better job of holding the president accountable than the anchor does.
This failed attempt by MSNBC to cover for Biden was brought to viewers by Golden Corral and Applebee’s. This is your chance to fight back against advertisers by telling them what you think about the sponsorship.
Below is the transcript from the exchange of March 10.
9:38 am ET
CHRIS JANSING: The latest numbers released this morning show that inflation increased 7.9% in February year-over-year. This represents the highest inflation rate in 40 years. Gas prices also reached a new record of $4.32 per gallon, this morning.
(…)
9:00 AM ET
JANSING: Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, of Pennsylvania is joining us as co-chair of Congressional Ukraine Caucus. He just returned from Poland-Ukraine border with a bipartisan delegation. Let’s talk money first here at home, if we can, Congressman. After President Biden’s announcement earlier in the week, you voted to pass the House bill banning Russian oil products and fuel products. You should also know that polls indicate the support of this measure by the majority in America. You have to wonder how much longer Americans will be able to hold on when you consider the fuel price figures and the inflation numbers. What’s your thought on that?
REP. BRIAN FITZPATRICK [R-PA]Chris: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. A small percentage – and this is reflected in the Reuters poll that I think you’re referring to – a very small percentage of the bump-up in gas prices has to do with the conflict in eastern Europe right now. We’ve been seeing gas prices rise throughout the entirety of the past year due largely to energy policy that’s adopted over the past year – shutting down the Keystone XL pipeline, giving the thumbs down to the East-Med pipeline, the eastern Mediterranean pipeline from Israel going to Europe, and green-lighting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which thankfully has now been eliminated.
There have been many decisions made in the last year that led to increased gas prices. The marginal bump-up that we’re seeing now regarding the conflict in eastern Europe, that is, you know, a small piece of this, but I think that is a small piece that people are willing to pay in order to protect lives in Ukraine.
JANSING This is something that you are in favor of?
FITZPATRICK – If you can give some relief to the pump. And we’ve got to work out the economics of it, but, you know, I think it’s important, Chris, that we dissect properly and break down what is all part and parcel to the increase in prices we’re seeing, particularly –
JANSING: You know, I understand that, Congressman, but don’t you think – and look, you’re a politician, you know this better than I do, people just are looking and saying, “Can you help us, can you give us some relief?”
FITZPATRICK: Sure. Chris, that’s why we have to offer them relief. Anything that helps us must be done.
(…)
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