Inflation is up 8.6 percent, according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), but the American people believe it’s much higher, because everything is up double digits, Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) told Fox Business’ “Mornings with Maria Bartiromo” on Friday.

As CNSNews.com reported, over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 8.6 percent before seasonal adjustment, compared with 8.3 percent in April and 8.5 percent in March. That 8.6 percent increase is the largest since December 1981.

“First of all, the American people don’t believe that inflation is only 8% as you’ve said this morning on your show. Everything is up double digit. Gas has doubled already. It’s almost $5 a gallon nationwide, as you’ve listed all of the different commodities out there, how high they are. The American people are feeling much higher, I expect 8.3 or higher as we see today,” Hern said.

“The president is doing all of the gimmicks to do things, releasing a million barrels a day, oil that we put in petroleum reserve at $50 a barrel and we’ll have to replace $150 a barrel. I mean, just economic disaster after disaster. Now he’s talking about removing tariffs in China. He wants to go easing on China now to bury the idea that he caused anything to do with inflation,” the congressman said.