Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.<\/span> (Eric Lee\/Bloomberg via Getty Images \/ Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n "It wasn’t that he said no to all pipelines. He turned around and green-lighted the Nord Stream 2 pipeline so that Putin could get the ability to send his oil to Germany," Scalise added. "These decisions have consequences."<\/p>\n U.S. gas prices hit a seven-year-high in 2021 during the aftermath of the pandemic, prompting economic shutdowns and diminished global demand for gas. <\/p>\n The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), led by Saudi Arabia, rolled back production during the pandemic to stave off a bust in the market. <\/p>\n In November, OPEC and Russia, which is not an OPEC member but which exercises considerable sway over the organization, refused to once again bolster production to meet the resurgence in demand. The move has kept gas prices artificially inflated. <\/p>\n But Republicans on the Hill have also contested that Biden’s moves since taking office, like shutting down the Keystone pipeline and hitting pause on all federal oil and gas lease sales, contributed to the increase in gas prices. <\/p>\n CONCERNS MOUNT ON ENERGY PROVISIONS WITHIN DEMOCRAT SPENDING BILL<\/strong><\/p>\n "Keep in mind this is not a free market around the world. OPEC is a monopoly, it’s a cartel," Scalise said. "OPEC wants gas prices to be higher. They could produce more oil tomorrow and bring prices down. But they don’t want to."<\/p>\n The GOP congressman further suggested that the Kremlin has utilized surging oil prices for another geopolitical agenda. <\/p>\n "You know who else makes money off of high gas prices? Vladimir Putin," Scalise claimed. "And what is Putin doing right now with all of that money that Joe Biden has given him? He’s getting ready to invade Ukraine with billions of dollars he got from oil money."<\/p>\n Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the White House for comment on Scalise’s claims. <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxbusiness.com\/foxbusiness.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/931\/523\/GettyImages-1237834818-e1642632855931.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
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\n \nTicker<\/th>\n Security<\/th>\n Last<\/th>\n Change<\/th>\n Change %<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n XOM<\/td>\n EXXON MOBIL CORP.<\/td>\n 73.11<\/td>\n +0.03<\/td>\n +0.04%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n EOG<\/td>\n EOG RESOURCES INC.<\/td>\n 105.13<\/td>\n -0.54<\/td>\n -0.51%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n OIL<\/td>\n EXCHANGE TRADED NOTE – BARCLAYS CAPITAL SECURITIES WTI CRUDE PURE BETA S2 TR<\/td>\n 26.43<\/td>\n +0.09<\/td>\n +0.34%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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