If Washington Wants Lower Gas Prices, It Should Get Out of the Way

At a time when Americans are once again being pinched at the gas pump, Washington is making a costly mistake.

Gas prices are rising sharply as global oil markets react to the escalating conflict with Iran. Crude prices have surged past $100 per barrel, and analysts warn that disruptions to key shipping routes could push prices even higher. With gas prices affecting nearly every sector of our economy, this is bad news for consumers already stretched to the limit by inflation.

There is little the U.S. can do to control instability in the Middle East. But Washington can do a great deal to avoid making the situation worse.

In Alaska, one of our nation's most energy-rich regions, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is foolishly disrupting companies that support oil and gas production. Recent actions targeting Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) are interfering with contracts essential to energy development in the region.