WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Ro Khanna will introduce legislation on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., that would ban the export of gasoline from the United States during periods of elevated domestic prices. The proposed bill would halt U.S. shipments of refined gasoline to other countries during any period when national gas prices average $3.12 per gallon or higher.

"The country is crying out for a new energy policy that doesn't have us subject to the whims of the profits of big oil companies," Khanna said. He said that keeping domestic gasoline supplies at home could lower the cost of gasoline for U.S. consumers.

The legislation comes as Americans are paying more than $4 per gallon for gasoline at the pump. U.S. gas prices have risen by 38% since the first U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. In California, gasoline prices had topped $6.50 per gallon. According to the International Energy Agency, crude costs topped $100 a barrel, and the Iran war has produced the largest-ever disruption to fuel supply.

"The war in Iran has really created an energy shock in America, and this is the time for us to point out why wars of choice are morally bad, but also why they hurt Americans who are struggling to pay the bills," he said. The U.S. became a net exporter of gasoline in the 2010s and became the world's largest exporter of motor gasoline in 2024. Domestic fossil fuel producers could see an additional $63 billion in profit due to the war, according to an analysis from Rystad Energy. Share prices of major oil companies have increased since the war began.

The gasoline export ban is not Khanna's only recent legislative effort targeting fuel costs. He and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse introduced a bill last month that would impose a windfall tax on the largest fossil fuel companies when oil profits surge. The proposed excise tax would fund rebates sent to U.S. taxpayers to offset high gasoline costs. "The refund checks can go to Americans who are paying over four bucks at the gas pump," he said in a separate statement.

During the 2022 energy shock following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Khanna proposed both a gasoline export ban and a windfall tax. He said his current proposal is unlikely to pass Congress because Republicans are unlikely to contradict major oil companies.

Khanna called on his colleagues in Congress to advocate for more renewable power. "This shows why we need to invest in solar and wind and geothermal and battery storage and electric vehicles," he said. "Americans don't want another costly war. They want good jobs at home and peace abroad," he added.

"Gas prices are going up and companies are driving up costs. We should be focused on competing with China and investing in American manufacturing, not spending $1bn per day on this war," he said in a separate statement.