With the national average price of gasoline lingering around $4.37 per gallon, a group of Republican members of Congress are urging President Trump to endorse a short‑term suspension of the federal gas tax. The proposal, championed by Rep. Russell Fry (R‑SC) in his “EASE Act,” would allow the president to declare a state of emergency and pause the 18.4‑cent‑per‑gallon tax for up to 120 days.
Potential savings and fiscal impact
The tax holiday is projected to lower pump prices by roughly 10 to 16 cents per gallon, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. While that relief would be welcome for motorists, the cost to the Treasury would be steep. The Committee for a Responsible Budget estimates a 30‑day suspension would cost $2.5 billion, and a three‑month pause would rise to $7 billion. If the diesel tax were also suspended, the price tag climbs to $3.5 billion for a month and $10 billion for three months.
Risk to the Highway Trust Fund
The federal gas tax supplies about 58 % of the Highway Trust Fund’s revenue, which finances the construction, maintenance, and repair of America’s roads, bridges, and mass‑transit systems. Since the tax has not been increased since 1993, its purchasing power has eroded by more than 110 % due to inflation. The Congressional Budget Office warns the fund could be fully depleted by 2028.
Suspending the tax would accelerate that timeline. The Committee for a Responsible Budget notes the holiday could push the insolvency deadline forward anywhere from one week to 17 months, depending on its length.
Legislative safeguards
Lawmakers introducing the holiday legislation have built offsets to protect the Highway Trust Fund. Fry’s bill would permit the Treasury to draw the lost revenue from the general fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund, thereby shielding the Highway Trust Fund from a direct shortfall.
Nevertheless, critics point out that the holiday would add billions to the national debt while delivering only modest savings at the pump.
Political backdrop
Fuel prices have become a flashpoint in the run‑up to the 2026 midterm elections, especially as the conflict between the United States and Iran has pushed crude costs higher. Senators Mike Rounds (R‑SD) and Bernie Moreno (R‑OH) have publicly asked President Trump to signal his support for a federal gas tax holiday, echoing actions taken by Ohio, Georgia, and Indiana, which have already suspended their own state fuel taxes.
President Trump, who first expressed openness to the idea in May, remained noncommittal when asked on Monday, saying he is “thinking about that.” He did, however, sign an executive order waiving penalty fees for the use of dyed diesel fuel in trucks traveling on public highways.
What this means for everyday Americans
For drivers, a temporary tax holiday could provide a modest, short‑term reduction in fuel costs. For the nation’s infrastructure, the proposal underscores the tension between immediate consumer relief and the long‑term health of the Highway Trust Fund. As the midterms approach, the debate is likely to intensify, with Republicans framing the holiday as a pro‑consumer measure and opponents warning of fiscal consequences.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
