WASHINGTON, D.C. (NBC NEWS)- Lawmakers blame him for being soft on rich oil companies.

During Tuesday’s news conference, President Bush said food, gas, mortgages and student loans are costing Americans too much.

He blames Congress for blocking his plans to help.

The President said, "They're looking to their elected leaders in Congress for action. Unfortunately on many issues all they're getting is delay."

His comments came shortly after the conference board announced consumer confidence at its weakest point in five years.

Democrats insist high gas prices are hitting Americans even harder than the mortgage crisis.

Democratic Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, "if this President would get out of the White House and visit any town in America and ask the average person what's on their mind, they would tell him 'Mr. President, roll up your sleeves, focus on this country.'"

Durbin said, "the largest profit taking ever, at whose expense? At the expense of consumers and families," speaking of oil companies.

But President Bush says the problem is not oil companies-- it's Congress, refusing to approve drilling in the U.S. or build new refineries.

"We understand supply and demand, when you don't build a refinery for 30 years get after it quickly," said President Bush.

High food prices have the President blaming Congress for a farm bill that's been stuck for weeks.

"It's not time to ask American farmers already paying more in the checkout line to pay more to wealthy farmers," the President said.

There's lots of blame but little action in Washington as Americans continue to shell out more and more with less and less.

To view excerpts from Bush's press conference, view the video in the Multimedia section.