sight to russia's war against ukraine, u.s. inflation is climbing again and hitting a four-decade high, as prices rose 7.9% in february compared to a year ago. gas, food and rent all more expensive as fears about the invasion's strain on global energy markets are growing. >> we do anticipate that gas prices and energy prices will go up. that is something that the president has conveyed very clearly to the american public. >> reporter: biden casting the blame on putin, but with the national average for a gallon of gas setting new records, including a seven-cent increase overnight, republicans say biden is deflecting. >> he said it's all blamed on russia. energy prices have been going up dramatically from the day he took office. >> reporter: now, jake, the white house is not ruling anything out when it comes to options for lowering gas prices. they have been in touch with oil companies but republicans on capitol hill are being very critical of the federal reserve, saying they have been too slow