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Trump calls for suspension of federal gas tax as Americans seek relief at the pump: ‘I think it’s a great idea’
NY Post ^ | 5/11/26 | Ryan King

Posted on 05/11/2026 11:07:12 AM PDT by Libloather

WASHINGTON — President Trump called Monday for the temporary suspension of the federal gas tax to give Americans relief at the pump amid surging oil prices caused by the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Trump told CBS News during a brief phone interview. “Yup, we’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.”

Gasoline has been taxed at 18.4 cents per gallon since the 1990s to generate up to $40 billion in annual revenue for the Highway Trust Fund, which provides support for road maintenance and construction, among other projects.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas was $4.52 as of Monday, according to data from AAA, up nearly 40 cents from this time last month.

Temporarily suspending the federal gas tax will likely require congressional approval. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced on social media that he would introduce legislation to that effect when Congress reconvenes later today.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed openness to the proposal over the weekend.

“We’re open to all ideas, everything has tradeoffs,” Wright told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday. “All ideas to lower prices for American consumers and American businesses.”

When the war in Iran broke out, the US partnered with allies to release some 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to stabilize markets.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration began “Project Freedom” to militarily escort private vessels through the strait. But that plan was quickly put on pause due to supposed progress in talks with Iran, as well as protests from US partners in the region — most notably Saudi Arabia.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; History; Local News
KEYWORDS: gas; pump; relief; taxes

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Those collected taxes could go towards the new ballroom. That may keep some commies off the road.
1 posted on 05/11/2026 11:07:12 AM PDT by Libloather
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To: Libloather

The media never tell us that gas prices generally go up in mid-april and May. Instead they blame the increase on Trump.


2 posted on 05/11/2026 11:12:22 AM PDT by I want the USA back (America is once again GREAT! Blue Lives Matter! White lives matter. )
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To: Libloather

Blue states will add it back in.


3 posted on 05/11/2026 11:13:20 AM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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To: I want the USA back

Good Idea! Now if California would lower their Gas Tax.... In your dreams only.


4 posted on 05/11/2026 11:14:18 AM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (. War is Hell, War IS a Crime.)
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To: Libloather

They can suspend the federal gas tax, but that will not change the fact that gasoline prices will continue to go up and that’s not going to really help anybody at the gas pump.

Now you have states like Illinois and California that have very high state gasoline taxes you take those off and those people might see a little relief.

But will that happen I doubt it


5 posted on 05/11/2026 11:15:58 AM PDT by Captain Peter Blood
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To: I want the USA back

They do generally go up during peak driving sees and you’re going to see higher prices than you’ve ever seen before I predict by July 4 in the middle of the summer driving season you’re going to see gasoline prices possibly at six dollars or $6.50


6 posted on 05/11/2026 11:16:55 AM PDT by Captain Peter Blood
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To: I want the USA back

How about some soundbites of the Dems a few years ago saying it won’t hurt the people to pay higher gas tax costs in order to discourage gas cars and encourage EV sales. It was a burden the lowly people would have to pay for the glorious climate change benefits n fifty years. /S

And the destruction of our freedom to buy a gas car (no new licenses granted for gas stations, investors discouraged due to knowledge future gas drilling would be ended along with their investment money) and more. Remind people the freedom today will be ended tomorrow by the Dems getting in office.
They take it for granted but shouldn’t.


7 posted on 05/11/2026 11:20:05 AM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: I want the USA back

Come on, you surely know why gas prices are so high. 🙄😕


8 posted on 05/11/2026 11:20:15 AM PDT by dforest
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To: Libloather; I want the USA back; Alberta's Child
The media never tell us that gas prices generally go up in mid-april and May.

Current prices cannot be solely attributed to seasonal blend changes; let's not kid ourselves.

For May 8, 2025, the national average was $3.15 per gallon.

So far this month, "the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rising 25 cents for the second consecutive week to $4.55. Pump prices are now $1.40 higher than they were a year ago..."

The strangulation of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is the principal cause of the current hike in commodity prices for petroleum.

9 posted on 05/11/2026 11:20:36 AM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007 (There is nothing new under the sun.)
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To: Captain Peter Blood

How about dropping ALL taxes on gas for a period of time when it is way too high?? I know some of them might be rather necessary, but how many are just padding someone’s pocket? Did I mention California taxes?


10 posted on 05/11/2026 11:20:41 AM PDT by oldtech
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To: Libloather

Don’t do it. Oil prices are easing. Gas stations will follow due to competition. When things subside and you decide to let the gas tax begin again, the Press will hammer you with the price increases.


11 posted on 05/11/2026 11:21:02 AM PDT by pgyanke (Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)
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To: Libloather

18.4 cents taken off a gallon is not enough, unless he cuts the price by 50% first.


12 posted on 05/11/2026 11:21:09 AM PDT by G. W. McLintock
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To: Captain Peter Blood

How about dropping ALL taxes on gas for a period of time when it is way too high?? I know some of them might be rather necessary, but how many are just padding someone’s pocket? Did I mention California taxes?


13 posted on 05/11/2026 11:21:22 AM PDT by oldtech
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To: Captain Peter Blood

And it’s speculators, not actual cause and effect of supply and demand. I noticed in past years the much colder and even snowy Spring driving was much lower as people did NOT “go out to enjoy that sunshiny Spring weather with more driving” as the lying cliche said.

In some states the pollution punishment is to have more expensive “summer blend” gas as part of the law to hurt drivers and help fight the phony climate change.


14 posted on 05/11/2026 11:22:43 AM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: Captain Peter Blood

A question to everyone complaining about gas prices...

What’s our republic worth to you?


15 posted on 05/11/2026 11:24:41 AM PDT by mewzilla (Swing away, Mr. President, swing away! 🇺🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)
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To: Libloather

Thanks to Gov. Pritzker, Illinois gas tax is going up 50c a gallon starting in July.


16 posted on 05/11/2026 11:29:01 AM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose GOD is the LORD. ~ Psalm 33:12)
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To: stars & stripes forever

Illinois gas prices remain among nation’s highest as another tax hike nears

By the numbers: Illinois’ gas tax stands at 48.3 cents per gallon and is set to rise to 49.6 cents on July 1.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/illinois-gas-prices-remain-among-nations-highest-as-another-tax-hike-nears/ar-AA22UH8Q


17 posted on 05/11/2026 11:32:54 AM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: mewzilla

A question to everyone complaining about gas prices...

What’s our republic worth to you?

__________________________________________________

A question to you: What are you implying by your question? That somehow Iran was an existential threat to the US?


18 posted on 05/11/2026 11:35:44 AM PDT by Bishop_Malachi (Liberal Socialism - A philosophy which advocates spreading a low standard of living equally.)
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To: Libloather

Wa state is 55.4 cents plus another 60 cents for the Climate Commitment act.


19 posted on 05/11/2026 11:36:19 AM PDT by algore ( )
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To: Captain Peter Blood
but that will not change the fact that gasoline prices will continue to go up and that’s not going to really help anybody at the gas pump.

Right you moron, because taking the tax off doesn't make it cheaper.

20 posted on 05/11/2026 11:43:27 AM PDT by xone ( )
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