President Trump announced his support for suspending the federal gasoline tax in an interview Monday, marking a reversal from the White House's previous stance as Republicans face mounting criticism over soaring gas prices. "We're going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we'll let it phase back in," Trump told CBS News.
Legislative Action Required
Suspending the 18.4-cent-per-gallon federal gas tax would require congressional approval. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced Monday that he plans to introduce legislation to implement the suspension. The White House has not confirmed whether Trump will actively push for action on Capitol Hill.
Gas Prices Soar Amid Iran Conflict
Gasoline prices have surged sharply since the onset of the conflict with Iran, with the national average for regular gasoline reaching $4.52 per gallon, according to AAA. This marks a significant increase from prices below $3 per gallon prior to the conflict. American workers and families are bearing the brunt of this economic burden.
Bipartisan Proposals Emerge
Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) have introduced a bill to suspend the federal gas tax until Oct. 1, with a companion measure proposed by Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.). Congress has yet to take up the issue, but pressure from both parties could accelerate action.
"We're going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we'll let it phase back in," said President Trump.
The potential suspension underscores the growing urgency to address rising energy costs, which continue to strain American households and industries.