Grand Canyon Times

President Joe Biden's approval ratings continue to drop and have hit a new low, according to a new NBC News poll.

According to the latest NBC News poll, overall, only 39% of Americans approve of Biden’s job as president, while 56% disapprove. Among independent voters, the president's approval rating is even lower, at 33%, the poll showed.                   

"Poll: President Joe Biden’s job approval rating has hit an all-time low," Newsmax tweeted May 15.

Gas prices across the country continue to climb higher every day, reminding Americans of the economic deficit the country is in.

The survey was taken May 5-7 and 9-10 among 1,000 adults – 790 of which were registered voters. The poll also showed 33% of Americans approve of Biden’s handling of the economy, while 62%  disapprove.

Gas prices continue to set new records every day, squeezing Americans' wallets. As of May 18, the national average of $4.57 per gallon is $1.53 more than a year ago, AAA reported.

In Arizona, the average of $4.83 per gallon is 26 cents more than a month ago and $1.69 more than a year ago, according to AAA.

During his first week as president, Biden signed an executive order temporarily suspending new oil and gas leases on federal lands. Last week, the Department of the Interior canceled oil and gas lease sales for over one million acres in Alaska's Cook Inlet and in the Gulf of Mexico, amid record-high gas prices. 

While the Department of Interior cited "lack of industry interest," Steve Milloy, a former Trump-Pence EPA transition member and founder of JunkScience.com, blamed the president. 

"I blame Biden for all lack of production. He has scared away investment," Milloy told FOX Business last week. He further suggested that the president will find "any excuse to not drill. They even tried to use the social cost of carbon decision to stop leasing."

According to AAA, the steady climb in pump prices is primarily due to the high cost of crude oil, which is hovering near $110 a barrel. 

“The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no  effect this year.”