Six Democratic governors are calling on Congress to pass legislation that would suspend the federal gas tax through the end of the year as a way to combat rising gas prices.
In a letter to leaders in the U.S. House and Senate, the governors said they would support federal legislation that would suspend the tax, saying it would help consumers at the pump while protecting the federal government’s capacity to make infrastructure investments.
“First, it saves Americans at the pump by suspending the federal gas tax for the rest of the year. Money saved at the pump translates into dollars back in consumers’ pockets for groceries, childcare, rent, and more,” the governors wrote. “But importantly, the legislation would also ensure the Highway Trust Fund stays solvent. The bill would authorize the U.S. Department of Treasury to transfer general fund dollars to replace the temporarily lost revenue of a halted federal gasoline excise tax.”
The governors said that the additional $118 billion to the Highway Trust Fund allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would ensure the federal government could continue investing in infrastructure.
“At a time when people are directly impacted by rising prices on everyday goods, a federal gas tax holiday is a tool in the toolbox to reduce costs for Americans, and we urge you to give every consideration to this proposed legislation,” the governors said.
The letter was signed by Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.