you can get this wherever you get your podcast. washington journal continues. rep. jim himes rep. jim himes d

he is on the select committee of income disparity. we talk about a number about a f issues, inflation, some of the issues that he dealt with in the u.s. house, welcome back to the washington journal. let me ask you about the the ine disparity committee. guest: it was created to look at a problem that is getting worse in this country which is more and more wealth and income is and income is concentrated in a small group of wealthy americans. the problem with that is that this country has always lived in poverty but the middle-class tht this country has always lived in poverty but the middle-class, rent is really expensive and the problem with that, i, i think at of the volatility in our politics is attributable to the fact that the system isn't working for them.

we will put together as many recommendations as we can. without some support from both parties it is really hard to get through. what is the makeup of the committee? guest: the democrats are the majority because we have the majority. my republican ranking members, we put a lot of time into making this a committee, not just another platform for the two parties to throw mud at each other but to get at the issue. economic disparity is not a blue or red issue, it is everywhere. we are trying to keep it issue focus. host: as you do your work, you are seeing the impact of inflation across-the-board and certainly among across-the-board certainly among those who are suffering economically and have

been since the beginning. guest: we see it at home and internationally, europe and japanjapan, inflation is rampan. all countries put a lot of money into their economies. the united states averaged a trillion dollars over to dorms, we are coming out of the virus but supply chains or restraint, oil and gas is restraints. it is a difficult moment for people to make ends meet. host: and we are seeing that inflation and gas prices in the new york times had the headline, biden will push congress for a tax holiday. would you support a gas tax holiday? guest: congress will probably do it.

congress will probably do it. i am for doing whatever we can to lower the gas tax. what worries me is that that $.a gallon will be absorbed by the gasoline companies. i need to be that $.18 a gallon will be absorbed by the gasoline companies. i need to be convinced that will offer real relief to the american people because as prices are very high, the as prices are very high, the energy companies are showing record profits. host: as prices are very high, the energy companies are showing record profits. host: what does the high price of gas mean for the democrats and president biden's efforts to green the economy?

guest: economy? guest: gas prices have always been volatile. people who are old enough to remember the economy? guest: gas prices have always been volatile. people who are old enough to remember the early 1970's, know that there is a lot of volatility in energy prices. once every couple of years, gas years, gas gets really expensive. if your finances are tight and you are driving a big car that uses a lot of gas, that can be very painful. the path is clear. the path is clear. we need to deliver relief in the short-term, but ourrelief in the short-term, but our reliance on foreign oil and non-sustainable energy sources. host: your your committee and wt they are looking at, what avenues will you be recommending to the speakers and congress? guest: you be recommending to the speakers and congress? guest: investing in the youngest americans. if you look at the pie chart of the federal government, about half of federal spending is

targeted to senior americans. those things are monumental accomplishments of this country. older americans used to live in poverty and do not anymore. we invest almost nothing in our to live in poverty and do not anymore. we invest almost nothing in our youngest americans. one of the recommendations we will come out with is to is to e sure every family has access to health care and prenatal is to e sure every family has access to health care and prenatal care. have all of the support and investment they need to have a real shot at doing well at school well at school and being a productive worker in our economy. host: you are a part of the build back better plan? guest:

. >> we'll leave this program now to return to the house of representatives for more live coverage as members are returning from a break. ronic vol be conducted as a 15-minute v vote. pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20, remaining electronic votes will be conducted as five-minute votes. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the unfinished business is the vote on ordering the priest question of house resolution 1191. on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house calendar number 83, house resolution 1191, resolution providing for consideration of the bill h.r. 4176 to improve federal population surveys by requiring the collection of voluntary self-disclosed information on sexual orientation and gender identity in certain surve