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 country faces historic jumps in gas prices tied to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Khanna said the measure is meant to keep more fuel available for domestic use and help ease pressure on American consumers. In an interview with the Guardian, he argued that the country needs a different energy policy, one that is not driven by the profits of large oil companies.
“The country is crying out for a new energy policy,” Khanna said, “that doesn’t have us subject to the whims of the profits of big oil companies.”
The proposed legislation comes at a time when fuel markets have been rattled by the conflict, with gas prices rising sharply. Khanna’s plan would seek to prevent gasoline from being sent overseas when supplies at home are under strain and prices are climbing.
The California lawmaker has framed the effort as both a consumer protection measure and a response to the broader volatility created by the war. By limiting exports during price surges, he argues, more gasoline would remain in the United States, which could help reduce costs for drivers.
The announcement adds another layer to the political debate over energy policy during the conflict, as lawmakers look for ways to blunt the effects of higher prices on households and businesses. Khanna’s proposal is intended to address one piece of that problem by focusing on fuel exports during periods of exceptional market stress.
As gas prices continue to rise, the bill reflects growing pressure on elected officials to respond quickly to the impact of the war on everyday costs. Khanna’s office has not provided further details in the source item about the bill’s text, timing beyond Tuesday’s introduction, or potential backing from other lawmakers.
Still, the message behind the proposal is clear: in the midst of a war-driven price surge, Khanna wants to prioritize domestic fuel supply and push back against what he sees as an energy system overly shaped by oil industry profit motives.
