Remove the gas tax? What the Trump administration is saying
By Easton Martin | May 13, 2026
As energy costs reach historic levels, a growing coalition in Washington is advocating for immediate relief for American motorists. President Donald Trump proposed a suspension of the federal gas tax, aimed at easing the financial pressure on families as prices soar. The proposal targets the federal excise tax, which currently stands at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel fuel.
The urgency of the situation is evident in the current market. In some regions, fuel costs have climbed to levels that threaten the stability of household budgets. With the price of gas continuing to soar, the suspension may be a common sense measure to return money to taxpayers during a period of high inflation.
Republican lawmakers have moved quickly to codify the President’s proposal. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) announced plans to introduce legislation to pause the tax, arguing that American families require immediate breathing room. Even a modest reduction in per-gallon costs may provide a necessary buffer for the truckers and commuters who drive the national economy.
This federal initiative follows successful actions at the state level. Throughout 2026, states such as Georgia, Utah, Indiana, and Kentucky have implemented their own gas tax holidays to protect their citizens from rising global oil prices. Georgia’s suspension alone was estimated to save residents nearly $400 million over a two month period.
