Trump pushes for suspension of federal gas tax during war with Iran
President Trump said Monday he would like to suspend the federal gasoline tax to ease costs during the war with Iran.
Mr Trump has said gas prices will fall “like a rock” once the Middle East conflict ends, although he is pushing for a pause in the tax in the meantime.
The federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel.
“It’s a small percentage, but it’s, you know, it’s still money,” Mr. Trump said.
Suspending the tax requires congressional action. Some lawmakers have said they are ready to follow through on Mr. Trump’s wishes.
“I am introducing a bill today to suspend the gas tax,” Sen. Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, posted on X.
Mr. Trump did not set a duration for a tax holiday, saying he would do so “until it is appropriate.”
Some Democrats have also shown interest in suspending or reducing the federal gas tax, as the upcoming midterm elections focus on affordability.
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline was $4.52 Monday, according to the AAA auto club.
Prices have fallen slightly in recent days, but remain 52% higher than at the start of the war.
