California Congressman Ro Khanna is set to introduce legislation on Tuesday that would ban the export of gasoline during periods of price spikes, as the United States faces historic jumps in gas prices linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Khanna said the proposal is intended to keep more fuel in the domestic market and help reduce pressure on American consumers. He argued that retaining gasoline supplies at home could ease costs at a time when prices are rising sharply.
“The country is crying out for a new energy policy,” Khanna said in an interview with the Guardian, “that doesn’t have us subject to the whims of the profits of big oil companies.”
The legislation comes amid growing concern over the impact of the conflict on energy prices. According to the report, the recent surge in gas prices has been triggered by the war, intensifying debate over how the U.S. should manage fuel exports when domestic markets are under strain.
Khanna’s proposal would target exports during moments of elevated prices rather than imposing a permanent ban. The idea is to prioritize supplies for U.S. consumers when the market is experiencing unusual disruption.
The California Democrat has framed the measure as part of a broader call for a new energy policy, one that he says would reduce Americans’ exposure to the decisions and profit motives of large oil companies. His comments reflect a growing political push to respond to fuel-price volatility with tighter controls on exports during emergencies.
