Dems tell Trump to ‘end the war’ as gas tops $4, GOP divided on tax relief plan
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Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are clashing over President Donald Trump’s proposal to suspend the federal gas tax as prices rise above $4 a gallon amid the conflict with Iran.
Democrats are urging the president to “end the war,” while Republicans are divided on whether the plan would provide real relief.
“He has to end this war if he wants gas prices to go down,” said Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut. “And he needs to stop this war and stop looking for other gadgets.”
“Why doesn’t he just end the war in Iran, which is an illegal war, and fix these problems?” » said Senator Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii. “He didn’t get approval. It’s President Trump’s fault. And the gas price hike and everything else is his fault.”
Democrats pounce on $4 a gallon gas, blame Trump’s war on Iran for ‘broken promise’
Senator Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, participates in a press conference following the weekly policy lunches in Washington, DC, June 4, 2024. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu)
The lawmakers’ comments came after Trump on Monday backed a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax, as escalating tensions with Iran sent fuel prices soaring across the country. Gasoline prices rose to an average of $4.51 per gallon and diesel prices to $5.66 on Wednesday, according to AAA.
“I mean we want to keep costs low,” said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. “Higher gas prices increase the costs of groceries and everything else, and so I think that’s something that’s worth considering, and I would be open to it.”
The suspension could potentially reduce the cost of each gallon of gasoline by 18.4 cents and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced a bill Monday to suspend the federal gas tax after Trump supported the idea. Hawley’s Gas Tax Suspension Act would provide relief at the pump for at least 90 days, while also allowing an additional 90-day extension if prices remain high.
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Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., during a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill July 30, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Both parties support suspending the gas tax, but other lawmakers have proposed alternative methods to deal with rising gas prices.
“I think year-round E-15 is a better idea,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan. “Throughout the year, E-15 would bring down the price of gasoline about 30 to 40 cents a gallon. If you add in our credit card bill, that would bring it down another cent, 15 cents a gallon. So I think those are probably two better ideas for doing it.”
E-15 is a cheaper ethanol-blended gasoline that cannot be sold nationwide during the summer months because of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pollution rules. Some Republicans, like Marshall, say year-round access to E-15 would lower gas prices more effectively than a suspension of the gas tax.
ARAB ALLIES RECOGNIZE DANGER FROM IRAN, LAWMAKERS SAY, AS REGION CAUTIONARY AGAINST REGIME CHANGE
A sign displays prices for unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel at a Chevron gas station in Victorville, California, March 17, 2026. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
While some lawmakers have focused on reducing costs at the pump, others have argued that the United States should maintain or even intensify pressure on Iran despite rising prices.
“Let’s end Iran, at least the IRGC, once and for all,” Bacon said. “The Iranian people are great people, but their government is our enemy. It has been the most ruthless enemy we have had for four decades.”
“They should be bludgeoned,” he said.
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Bacon’s comments reflect a group of Republicans who say rising gas prices are a consequence of the fight against Iran, warning that easing pressure could carry far greater risks.
“Nuclear-armed Iran poses a threat to America and the entire region,” Bacon said.
