Trump says he is thinking about suspending federal gas tax
USO•President Donald Trump said he is thinking about suspending the federal gas tax, which is 18.4 cents per gallon. Waiving it would require Congress to pass legislation.
1. Tax suspension considered
Trump said he was thinking about suspending the federal gas tax when asked whether it should be waived, but provided no details. He has previously expressed support for suspending the tax and signed an executive order a day earlier to expand access to tax-exempt diesel.
2. Prices and elections
High gas and diesel prices pose a risk to Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections, when control of Congress is at stake. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in the Senate and House. Fuel prices have risen in response to the US-Israeli war on Iran and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which have led to attacks on refineries in the Middle East and Russia.
3. Approval rating
A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Monday found Trump’s approval rating at 32% in recent days, a record low, with Americans most concerned about the high cost of living, spurred by soaring gasoline and diesel prices.
