Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH) have introduced legislation to extend the suspension of the federal gas tax to offset prices driven by the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The Context
In March, Sen. Kelly and Rep. Pappas introduced the Gas Prices Relief Act to temporarily suspend the 18.4 cents-per-gallon gas tax through October 1st, 2026, in response to oil prices rising because of the strikes the Trump Administration conducted on Iran.
With the conflict not yet resolved, Sen. Kelly and Rep. Pappas introduced the Consumer Fuel Prices Relief Act on Tuesday to extend the suspension through September 2027, applying it to the gas tax, the diesel tax, and the airplane fuel tax.
Additionally, the bill safeguards and maintains funding for the Highway Trust Fund, the Aviation and Airways Trust Fund, and related accounts, while holding corporations accountable if they fail to pass along savings to individual consumers.
What Kelly and Pappas are Saying
"Arizonans are getting squeezed by high costs. Fuel prices are skyrocketing because of Trump's war in Iran," the Arizona Senator said in his press release, adding, "Suspending federal fuel taxes will put money back in people's pockets. Families need help, and I'm focused on lowering their costs."
Similarly, the New Hampshire congressman said, "As Granite Staters continue to grapple with high costs, the last thing they need is to pay even higher prices at the pump or the store as a result of Donald Trump's continued war in Iran."
"That is why I've continued to call for the suspension of the gas tax, to provide Americans with badly needed relief from the historic increase in gas prices we have seen over the past seven months," Pappas continued, adding, "Expanding the pause to diesel taxes and aviation fuel will provide families with relief at the pump, when they're picking up necessities at the store, or visiting family this holiday season."
He emphasized that "This legislation would also hold corporations accountable if they refuse to pass these savings along to individual consumers. I am grateful to Senator Kelly for leading this critical effort in the Senate, and I remain committed to using every resource available to bring down costs and ensure that families and small businesses are not paying the price for this administration's reckless actions."
