By Alexandra Alper and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden on Thursday launched the largest release ever from the U.S. emergency oil reserve and challenged oil companies to drill more in an attempt to bring down gasoline prices that have soared during Russia’s war with Ukraine. The announcement comes as part of a broad effort by Biden to tackle raging inflation that has hurt U.S. consumers and threatens Biden’s fellow Democrats as they seek to maintain control of Congress in the November elections. Starting in May, the United States will release 1 million barrels per day…