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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 21 June 2022
Biden says decision on gas tax holiday may come this week

By AAMER MADHANI The American Petroleum
and JOSH BOAK Institute and American Fuel
Associated Press & Petrochemical Manufac-
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. turers sent a joint letter to
(AP) — President Joe Biden Biden on Wednesday that
said Monday that he will said refineries are operat-
decide by the end of the ing near their maximum ca-
week whether to order a pacity already and nearly
holiday on the federal gas- half of the capacity taken
oline tax, possibly saving off line was due to the fa-
U.S. consumers as much as cilities converting to renew-
18.4 cents a gallon. able fuel production.
“Yes, I’m considering it,” “Today’s situation did not
Biden told reporters after materialize overnight and
taking a walk along the will not be quickly solved,”
beach near his vacation the letter said. “To protect
home in Delaware. “I hope and foster U.S. energy se-
to have a decision based curity and refining capac-
on the data — I’m looking ity, we urge to you to take
for by the end of the week.” steps to encourage more
The administration is in- domestic energy produc-
creasingly looking for ways tion,” including new infra-
to spare the public from structure and reducing reg-
higher prices at the pump, President Joe Biden talks to the media after walking on the beach with his granddaughter Natalie ulatory burdens.
which began to climb last Biden, left, and his daughter Ashley Biden, right, Monday, June 20, 2022 at Rehoboth Beach, Del. Strolling on the beach with
Associated Press
year and surged after Rus- his daughter Ashley, grand-
sia invaded Ukraine in Feb- refining more oil,” Biden Wednesday showing that gas prices” and remained daughter Naomi, and his
ruary. Gas prices nation- said. The Biden administra- consumers saved at the open to a gas tax holiday. granddaughter’s fiancé,
wide are averaging just un- tion has already released pump because of gas tax “It’s been a substantial bur- Biden stopped frequently
der $5 a gallon, according oil from the U.S. strategic holidays in Connecticut, den on American house- to chat with beachgoers
to AAA. reserve and increased Georgia and Maryland. holds and I think, while who were spending the Ju-
Biden said members of his ethanol blending for the The majority of the savings not perfect, it is something neteenth federal holiday at
team were to meet this summer, in additional to went to consumers, instead that should be under some the beach.
week with CEOs of the ma- sending a letter last week of service stations and oth- consideration as a policy He took a moment to of-
jor oil companies to discuss to oil refiners urging them ers in the energy sector. to address it,” Yellen said fer assurances about infla-
rising prices. Biden lashed to increase their refining Energy Secretary Jennifer in Toronto at a joint press tion — the consumer-price
out at oil companies, say- capacity. Yet those efforts Granholm in a Sunday in- conference Monday with index increased to a nearly
ing they are making exces- have yet to reduce price terview on CNN’s “State of Canadian Deputy Prime 40-year high of 8.6% in May
sive profits when people pressures meaningfully, the Union” cautioned that Minister and Finance Minis- from the same month a
are feeling the crunch of such that the administra- “part of the challenge with ter Chrystia Freeland. year ago — and growing
skyrocketing costs at the tion is now considering a the gas tax, of course, is Oil refiners say their abil- warnings from economists
pump and inflation. But gas tax holiday. Taxes on that it funds the roads.” ity to produce additional that a recession may be
Biden said he would not be gasoline and diesel fuel But Treasury Secretary Ja- gas and diesel fuel is lim- around the corner.
meeting the oil executives help to pay for highways. net Yellen on Monday ited, meaning that prices “We’re going to get though
himself. “I want an expla- The Penn Wharton Budget noted “consumers are re- could remain high unless this, guys,” Biden told one
nation for why they aren’t Model released estimates ally hurting from higher demand starts to wane. group of beachgoers.q

Navy destroyer bears name of

decorated Marine killed in WWII

BATH, Maine (AP) — The of such Marines are never opening day of the inva-
christening of a Navy de- forgotten, Sgt. Major of the sion of Iwo Jima in February
stroyer on Saturday high- Marine Corps Troy Black 1945. He was awarded the
lighted the sacrifices of two told a crowd of 2,000 gath- Navy Cross posthumously
generations — the ship's ered next to the warship at for heroism that day.
namesake killed in World Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron His 92-year-old brother
War II and another Marine Works in Maine. Donald and others at the
who died more than 60 Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone ceremony spoke of Basi-
years later. was awarded the Medal lone's patriotism, dedica-
The future USS Basilone of Honor for heroism while tion and bravery.
bears the name of a Ma- defending Henderson Field That included his insistence
rine who was awarded the against a fierce assault by on returning to combat in-
Medal of Honor before his a 3,000-strong Japanese stead of staying safe for
death on Iwo Jima. force during the Battle of the remainder of the war.
Breaking a bottle on the Guadalcanal in 1942. "He really wanted to go The superstructure of the future USS Basilone and a crane are
ship's bow for good luck The New Jersey resident back," Donald Basilone seen on Saturday, June 18, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.
Associated Press
was a woman who lost her returned home to a hero's said in statement read by
brother in an ambush in Fal- welcome and a parade. his niece. ion, was killed in Iraq, said from the same cloth even
lujah, Iraq. But he asked to rejoin his Ryan Manion, whose broth- both her brother and the though they were from dif-
The legacy and sacrifice comrades and died on the er, Marine 1st Lt. Travis Man- ship's namesake were cut ferent generations. q