said the government is watching for manipulation in oil markets.
Speaking at a
conference, Obama said he’s asked his attorney general and U.S.
government agencies to work with state attorneys general to monitor for
gasoline-price gouging, “to make sure that nobody is taking advantage
of working families at the pump.”
Obama also said he’s willing to tap into the U.S.
Strategic Petroleum Reserve “should the situation demand it” but
declined to answer a question of what price would trigger a release.
Obama spoke as crude-oil futures held above
Some Democratic lawmakers have urged Obama to open up the oil reserves to calm supply fears and dampen rising prices.
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