Gas Tax Holiday Momentum Grows With Trump Support

Rising gasoline prices and no end in sight to the Middle East conflict are prompting the White House and some congressional Republicans to call for suspending the federal gasoline tax.

With the average price for regular gasoline topping $4.50 per gallon — up by more than $1 compared to a year ago — officials and lawmakers are turning bullish on an idea many have been cool on.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced plans to introduce a bill on social media Monday. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) followed up with her own message soon after.

“American families need this relief on gas prices. My office will be working directly with President Trump to ensure we deliver this win for the American people,” Luna wrote on X.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) has opposed suspending the 18 cent gasoline tax, which helps fund highways. Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), who has jurisdiction over the issue, said recently he wasn't considering it.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has been similarly skeptical. “I don’t know that the federal gas tax is going to lower [gas prices] by a lot," Thune said earlier this year.

But momentum appears to be shifting in favor of the idea. The question is whether pressure from the White House will be enough to convince lawmakers to join the push.

"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,” President Donald Trump told CBS News on Monday.

Congress would likely have to approve any gasoline tax moratorium. Asked for clarification on the administration's intentions, the White House pointed to the president's comments.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said over the weekend on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the administration was “open to all ideas” to lower energy prices.

House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.), who has jurisdiction over tax issues, said recently that “if gas prices got higher than they were under Biden, I think we should look at everything.”

Gasoline prices have risen primarily because of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. and Israeli bombings. Negotiations have failed to break the stalemate.

Democrats like Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) have been calling for a gasoline tax pause for weeks.

Hawley was an early proponent on the Republican side. "We need to take every step we can to bring down the cost of everything," Hawley said in an interview in late April.