Trump calls for suspending the federal gas tax during war in Iran

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said he wants to temporarily suspend the federal tax on gasoline amid soaring energy prices during the United States' war with Iran.

"I think it's a great idea," Trump said in a May 11 phone interview with CBS News. "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."

The president's new position comes as high prices at the gas pump pose major political challenges for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Trump did not specify how long he wants to pause the tax. The federal gas tax, which is currently 18.4 cents per gallon, funds the Highway Trust Fund, which goes toward federal highways construction and maintenance as well as public transit projects. Suspending the gas tax for one month would cost $3.5 billion in revenue, while a six-month holiday from the tax would cost about $21 billion, according to the Committee for a Responsible Budget.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the United States is at $4.52, according to AAA, up nearly 39 cents from last month and $1.39 from last year. Average gas prices were $2.98 nationally on Feb. 26, two days before the United States launched its first airstrikes against Iran.

Trump needs Cognress to suspend gas tax

Suspending the tax would require an act of Congress. Trump, however, has sought to exert certain executive authority during his second term by citing presidential powers designed for national emergencies.

Addressing reporters later in the day from the Oval Office, Trump said he would look to suspend the gas tax “until it’s appropriate,” adding that, “It’s a small percentage but it’s still money.”

"Let me tell you, as soon as this over with Iran, you're going to see gasoline and oil drop like a rock,” he said. 

While past presidents and lawmakers have occasionally floated gas tax holidays, a suspension of the tax has never passed in Congress. It's not clear whether there's enough support among lawmakers for such a measure this time either, though members of both parties have warmed up to the idea.

In response to Trump's remarks, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said in a post on X that he plans to introduce legislation to suspend the gas tax. He did not specify the length of his proposed pause.

A group of Democratic senators led by Mark Kelly of Arizona and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut in March introduced the Gas Prices Relief Act that sought to suspend the gas tax through October.

Reach Joey Garrison on @joeygarrison.