Schumer blames Trump&x27;s &x27;reckless war&x27; for high gas prices Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and ChronicleMon, May 4, 2026 at 7:44 PM UTC 0 Standing across the street from the Speedway convenience store on Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua, Schumer decried the high price of gas and laid blame on President Donald Trump’s “reckless war with Iran, with no end in sight” that is forcing surging prices for families in the Finger Lakes and across the country.
Schumer blames Trump's 'reckless war' for high gas prices
Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and ChronicleMon, May 4, 2026 at 7:44 PM UTC
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Standing across the street from the Speedway convenience store on Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua, Schumer decried the high price of gas and laid blame on President Donald Trump’s “reckless war with Iran, with no end in sight” that is forcing surging prices for families in the Finger Lakes and across the country.
Families are faced with choices of which bills to pay and which to hold off on because of the prices that have rocketed past the $4 a gallon mark, which is "outrageous," Schumer said.
"As they say, gas prices are too damn high," Schumer said at a press conference May 4. "All prices are too damn high."
New Yorkers have paid $517,229,794 more for gasoline compared to prices before the war’s start Feb. 28.
"It's outrageous," Schumer said.
During a visit to Canandaigua on May 4, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer calls for an end to the Iran War, which he said has resulted in higher gas prices that are harming families and farmers in the Finger Lakes region and throughout the country.Prices climb statewide and nationally
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand is up while domestic supply and production have fallen, adding further pressure to prices.
As of May 4, the national average for a gallon of gasoline is $4.46, up 35 cents from last week and well above $3.17 a year ago. New York’s average is also $4.46, up 27 cents from last week, compared with $3.10 a year ago.
The AAA Western and Central New York reported similar increases across the state:
Batavia: $4.39 (up 22 cents)
Buffalo: $4.41 (up 25 cents)
Elmira: $4.37 (up 30 cents)
Ithaca: $4.39 (up 25 cents)
Nassau-Suffolk: $4.45 (up 35 cents)
New York City: $4.56 (up 31 cents)
Rochester: $4.40 (up 21 cents)
Rome: $4.40 (up 26 cents)
Syracuse: $4.40 (up 23 cents)
Watertown: $4.49 (up 30 cents)
White Plains: $4.57 (up 29 cents)
Prices at various locations in Ontario County ranged on May 4 from $4.39 a gallon for regular gas to $4.49. The Speedway near the Schumer press conference advertised $4.43.
Diesel prices are also increasing. The national average is $5.64, up 19 cents from last week and well above $3.55 a year ago. New York’s diesel average is $5.94. Diesel prices were as high as $5.99 a gallon in Ontario County.
Electric vehicle charging costs are also slightly higher, with the national average at 42 cents per kilowatt hour and New York at 41 cents.
Finger Lakes families, farmers bear the brunt of high costs
And families and farmers are feeling the effects.
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Rachel Brill said it's cost her $40 more a month for the gas to drive the 46 miles roundtrip from her home in Rochester to her job at Wood Library in Canandaigua.
Ryan Akin, who works at Hemdale Farms and represents farmers in the Finger Lakes region for the New York Farm Bureau, said farmers who responded to a survey indicated they may not be able to afford to buy fertilizer, some of which is produced there and because of the war and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and their impact on the global marketplace has also resulted in soaring prices.
The cost of fuel farmers require right now to plant crops is also a serious challenge, Akin said.
"What this ultimately means, it's going to cost everybody more for the food they eat," Akin said.
A Schumer 'yes' vote for War Powers Act
Schumer said he will force weekly votes on the War Powers Act, which requires congressional approval for war, until the war is ended. Schumer also called on House Republicans such as Rep. Claudia Tenney, who represents Canandaigua and other portions of Ontario County in Congress, to stand up for families.
The decision to go to war goes to Congress and not one person, Schumer said, adding that he and others are building a coalition that also includes conservative representatives.
"I'm very optimistic that we can pass this War Powers Act," Schumer said.
Charles Hippert, a veteran from Geneva who served in the Vietnam War and lost a best friend in Veitnam, said nothing is more serious than sending someone to war. If there is going to be a war, Hippert said, it had better be justified, approved by Congress and well thought out and planned, Hippert said.
That it's not, and coupled with rising prices, Hippert said, is "more than people can stand."
Fuel-saving tips
AAA recommends drivers save fuel by combining trips, avoiding rush hour, maintaining proper tire pressure and using cruise control when possible.
The AAA Mobile App can help compare gas prices before filling up.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Schumer blames Trump for high gas prices in New York
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Published: May 4, 2026 at 03:54PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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