Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday the Trump administration is “open” to suspending the federal gasoline tax, offering a subtle shift from the White House's previous stance. The remarks came during an interview on NBC's “Meet the Press,” where he stated “we're open to all ideas” to lower costs for consumers and businesses. Still, he cautioned that “everything has tradeoffs.”
The average U.S. price for regular gas reached $4.52 per gallon Sunday, according to AAA — the highest level in four years and up from under $3 when the war began. President Trump faces political blowback from the surge at the pump, polling shows, making the tax issue a growing liability for his administration.
The federal gasoline tax sits at 18.3 cents per gallon, with a separate 24.3-cent tax on diesel. Both feed the Highway Trust Fund, which finances roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), have already proposed legislation to suspend the tax.
Just last week, a White House official said the idea was “not currently under consideration,” underscoring the administration's fractured approach on the matter. Congress has never enacted a federal gas tax holiday, despite similar proposals during previous periods of high prices. A suspension would require legislative action, likely triggering a debate over how to replace lost infrastructure funding.
A counter_argument: Critics argue a gas tax holiday would primarily benefit oil companies and high-volume drivers rather than providing meaningful relief to most Americans. It would also deprive the Highway Trust Fund of billions in revenue, potentially delaying critical infrastructure repairs.