Trump backs federal gas tax suspension
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President Trump endorsed suspension of the federal gasoline tax in an interview with CBS News Monday.
Why it matters: It marks a reversal for the White House as Republicans face political blowback over high gasoline prices.
- Last week the White House told Axios that a suspension was not "currently under consideration."
Driving the news: "[W]e'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," he told CBS.
Reality check: Suspending the 18.4 cent-per-gallon tax would require Congress.
- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) posted on X that he'll introduce legislation Monday to suspend the tax.
- At least two other Capitol Hill Republicans — Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.) and Jeff Van Drew (N.J.) — also posted Monday that they're introducing bills.
- The White House did not say whether Trump would seek action from Capitol Hill.
Between the lines: Republican leaders aren't racing to embrace the idea.
- "I've not in the past obviously been a fan of that idea. But you know I've got some colleagues out there who think it's a good idea and so we'll hear them out," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters.
- He noted that the loss of the gas tax revenue could hurt the highway trust fund, and said "the best thing can happen for gas prices is for the [Strait of Hormuz] to get opened up again."
Catch up quick: Gasoline prices have soared since the start of the war with Iran.
- The U.S. average for regular gasoline is currently $4.52 per gallon, per AAA, up from just under $3 per gallon before the conflict.
What we're watching: The potential for action in Congress, which thus far has not taken up the topic.
- Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) have sponsored a bill to suspend the tax until Oct. 1, and Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas (N.H.) has a companion measure.
Go deeper: What a gas tax holiday would actually do
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune's comments and with more Republicans who are introducing bills to suspend the gas tax.
