What's happened
Trump has voiced support for suspending the federal gas tax, telling reporters the move could last “until it’s appropriate.” Hawley is preparing legislation to suspend the levy, while lawmakers debate relief amid rising pump prices and a spike in gasoline and diesel costs.
What's behind the headline?
Live, actionable context
- The White House and congressional Republicans are eyeing a temporary gas-tax holiday as a tool to ease pain at the pump while broader energy dynamics shift. The key lever is congressional approval, since the federal levy is dedicated funding for the Highway Trust Fund.
- Immediate effects depend on how long the suspension lasts and whether it triggers offsets elsewhere to continue highway funding. State taxes remain in place and would continue to influence prices.
- The price signal is clear: gas has averaged about $4.52 per gallon, the highest since 2022, driving political pressure for relief measures.
- What to watch: whether legislators agree on duration, funding for highways during a pause, and any accompanying energy or airline relief packages.
How we got here
The push to suspend the federal gas tax has gained momentum as gas prices have surged since late February amid tensions in the Middle East. The tax, which funds highway and transit programs, is 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel. Congress would need to act to suspend it, as the president cannot unilaterally pause the tax.
Our analysis
Business Insider UK reports Trump has pledged support for Hawley’s bill to suspend the federal gas tax and says relief could last until conditions improve. The Independent notes Hawley is introducing legislation and discusses the broader political terrain. AP News confirms Congress must act and highlights the current price context. NY Post covers Trump’s CBS interview and details the tax’s revenue role and political calculations.
Go deeper
- Will Congress approve a gas-tax suspension, and for how long?
- How might states respond with their own taxes?
- What impact could this have on highway funding and infrastructure projects?
More on these topics
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Donald Trump - 45th and 47th U.S. President
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
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Josh Hawley - United States Senator
Joshua David Hawley is an American lawyer and Republican politician serving as the 42nd and current Attorney General of Missouri since 2017. He is the U.S. Senator-elect from Missouri, having defeated incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in the state's 201
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Iran - Country in the Middle East
Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a