Reps. Mackenzie, Bresnahan, and Perry Must Stop Supporting the War That Is Raising Costs on Their Constituents

March 27, 2026

PENNSYLVANIA - The war on Iran has driven up the price of gasoline and everyday Pennsylvanians are paying the price. As the war in Iran enters its second month, gas prices continue to rise, adding yet another expense for working families to navigate at a time of rising costs and assistance cuts.

Gas is up 32.9% nationwide and over a dollar higher in Pennsylvania since the start of the war. This week, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Pennsylvania was nearly $4 and at least 11 of the 67 counties had higher averages than the national figure. The highest average price in the state was $4.03 per gallon in Wayne County, represented by Congressman Rob Bresnahan. According to local TV station FOX56, Northeast Pennsylvania is among the most expensive regions in the state, with many stations charging between $3.90 and $4.10 per gallon.

Congressmen Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, and Scott Perry have supported the U.S. strikes on Iran, with all three voting against a resolution to curb President Trump’s powers in the Iran war. These congressmen also voted last summer for historic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, programs that help nearly 3 million Pennsylvanians access care and over 2 million put food on the table. Just one week of war spending could cover nearly a full month of SNAP for tens of millions of Americans. Experts estimate that the cost of the war will likely surpass $25 billion by the end of this week. Affordable Pennsylvania calls on these congressmen to stop supporting this war that is raising costs on Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gas prices rise again in Pa. and across the country as some states consider tax holidays

• The national average hit $3.96 per gallon Monday, up from $3.72 the week before, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A month ago, the average price per gallon was $2.79.

• Some analysts warn prices could continue climbing in the coming weeks, potentially pushing the national average above $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022.

• Rising gas prices are putting renewed pressure on household finances, especially for low- and middle-income Americans who have less flexibility to absorb higher transportation costs. The increases can ripple through daily life, influencing how much people drive, where they travel and how they spend money elsewhere.

• Still, economists say the most significant factor right now is not just the price itself, but the uncertainty surrounding it. With national policy decisions and geopolitical developments in the Middle East shifting rapidly, there is little consensus on how long prices will remain elevated or how high they could climb.

• “Gasoline prices don’t live in isolation,” said Steven Durlauf, an economist at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. Durlauf also is the director of the university’s Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility. “Reductions in the supply of petroleum, oil-based products affect the entire economy.”

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