Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) isn't buying Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's claim that high gas prices are just a temporary hiccup. In a pointed social media post on Wednesday, Klobuchar said Americans have shelled out an extra $53 billion for gas and diesel since the Iran war began — and Bessent's dismissal of inflation as a "blip" doesn't fly with families filling up their tanks.

"Not for families paying at the pump," the Senator fired back, after Bessent made the comments during a Senate hearing in response to questions from Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The Joint Economic Committee, which Hassan sits on, previously estimated that Americans have paid $43 billion more for gas since the conflict started — a figure Klobuchar's office updated to $53 billion.

"Except for inflation, which I believe is going to be a short-term blip, the economic data is very strong," Bessent had said, defending the administration's economic record.

Klobuchar wasn't the only Democrat piling on. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called Energy Secretary Chris Wright a "big oil shill" after Wright acknowledged gas prices are high. Newsom's administration has been defending its own policies as California's excise tax on gas rose to $0.634 per gallon, even as prices in the state finally dipped below $6 — averaging $5.976 on Thursday, according to AAA.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) accused Trump of cozying up to oil companies by relaxing emissions standards, despite rising global temperatures, and slammed the President for calling the climate crisis a "hoax." Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) piled on, claiming Trump is helping oil executives get rich while Americans spend an extra $800 million every day on gas.

The political heat comes as the national average gas price sits at $4.241 per gallon, according to AAA. That's down from recent peaks, but still painful for many households.

Meanwhile, the Iran war is fueling both high prices and political pushback. A House of Representatives vote on a war powers resolution — aimed at limiting Trump's authority over military action — passed 215-208, with bipartisan support. The resolution is gaining steam, though its path forward remains uncertain.

On a more hopeful note, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire contingent on Hezbollah halting fire and withdrawing from southern Lebanon. That deal could open the door to a broader ceasefire with Iran, which might ease oil market jitters and bring gas prices down further.

For now, though, Democrats are making sure voters remember the pain at the pump — and who they blame for it.