Skyrocketing Pump Prices Get Congress Seeking a Fix: BGOV Tax

May 11, 2026, 10:03 AM UTC

Democrats Want a Federal Gas Tax Freeze

Democrats are leaning into midterm affordability concerns by proposing a temporary federal gas tax holiday as conflict in the Middle East sends prices at the pump skyrocketing, Macon Atkinson reports.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) introduced the Gas Prices Relief Act (S. 4032), which would temporarily suspend the 18.4 cents-per-gallon federal gas tax through Oct. 1. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) introduced companion legislation (H.R. 7919) in the House.

Gas tax holidays aren’t a new idea. The proposed federal bill mirrors efforts in states like New York, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and South ...

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