Trump says he is considering suspending the federal gas tax as several states cut theirs
Asked by reporters on 6 October, President Trump said "We're thinking about that" on suspending the 18.4-cent federal gas tax. Congress would have to approve it, and analysts say drivers would see only part of the saving.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2President Donald Trump said on Tuesday 6 October that he is considering suspending the federal gas tax, telling reporters at the White House: "We're thinking about that." New York PostR ““We’re thinking about that,” Trump told reporters at the White House.” Read at New York Post ↗ NewsweekN “When asked by reporters whether a suspension of the federal gas tax is going to be the White House’s next move, Trump said: "We're thinking about that."” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2The federal tax is 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents on diesel, and it finances highway and bridge maintenance and public transit. New York PostR “The federal gas tax, which finances highway and bridge maintenance, adds 18.4 cents to every gallon of gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel.” Read at New York Post ↗ NewsweekN “The federal tax is 18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Trump cannot suspend the tax on his own: it would need an act of Congress. The New York Post notes that neither chamber is scheduled to return until after the election, and Newsweek says Republicans hold narrow majorities in both and that it is unclear whether enough Democrats would back it. New York PostR “Trump would need Congress to return to Washington to consider the plan — and both the House and Senate are not scheduled to return until after the election.” Read at New York Post ↗ NewsweekN “A suspension would require an act of Congress, where Republicans have a narrow majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Right · 1The remark came on top of other steps: on Monday 5 October Trump signed an executive order letting truckers use tax-free dyed ("red dye") diesel on the road through 31 December, and the New York Post reports that G-7 nations agreed on Friday to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from strategic reserves. New York PostR “The president on Monday signed an executive order allowing truckers to purchase tax-free “red dye” diesel through Dec. 31”“G-7 nations, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan, collectively agreed Friday to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from strategic reserves to tamp down prices.” Read at New York Post ↗ Mixed · 2Prices are high ahead of the November midterms. AAA puts the national average at $4.37 a gallon for gasoline, against about $3.12–3.13 a year earlier, and about $6.30–6.32 for diesel, against $3.68. The Post attributes the rise to the Iran war and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries; Newsweek dates the war from US and Israeli strikes on 28 February, when gas averaged $2.98. New York PostR “Gasoline is also up significantly, currently averaging $4.37 per gallon, up from $3.13 last year.”“large jumps in prices caused by the Iran war and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries” Read at New York Post ↗ NewsweekN “up from $3.12 per gallon a year earlier and from $2.98 per gallon before the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2Several states have already acted. Ohio's Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed a waiver of the state's 38.5-cent gas and 47-cent diesel taxes through 31 December (Newsweek describes it as a 90-day suspension from 4 October). Georgia's Brian Kemp suspended the 33.3-cent gas tax through at least 29 October, Indiana's Mike Braun suspended gasoline taxes, and Utah's Spencer Cox cut levies by 6 cents through year-end. Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear paused automatic inflation adjustments, and Newsweek says Illinois also made a temporary change. New York PostR “Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation waiving through Dec. 31 his state’s 38.5-cent gas tax and 47-cent diesel tax.”“Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear paused automatic inflation adjustments to fuel taxes.” Read at New York Post ↗ NewsweekN “Last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed into law a 90-day suspension of the state’s 38.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax and 47-cent-per-gallon diesel tax, starting on October 4.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek reports that suspending the tax would cut roughly 4 percent from the price of a gallon of gas. Citing studies of 2022 state suspensions, the Bipartisan Policy Center says only 58 to 87 percent would be passed on to consumers, lowering prices by 10 to 16 cents a gallon, which would save a driver buying 1,000 gallons a year $100 to $160. NewsweekN “They said that gas prices will only be cut by 10 to 16 cents per gallon, or approximately 2.3 to 3.7 percent of the current price of gas and 1.5 to 2.5 percent of the current price of diesel.”“A driver buying 1,000 gallons would save $100 to $160.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1The Congressional Budget Office estimates the federal gas and diesel taxes raise about $41 billion a year, and the Bipartisan Policy Center estimates a five-month holiday would cost about $17 billion in Highway Trust Fund revenue. NewsweekN “The Bipartisan Policy Center estimates that a five-month gas tax holiday would reduce gross revenues by about $17 billion” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Newsweek notes that Trump has previously expressed support for a suspension and gave no timeline. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in May that Trump would get a hearing, and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith said Congress should do whatever it can to relieve the pain. Newsweek had not received a White House response when it published. NewsweekN “The president, who has previously expressed support for suspending the federal gas tax, did not provide any more details on a potential timeline for this measure.”“Newsweek contacted the White House for comment by email on Wednesday morning and is awaiting a response.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Consumer-focused explainer on what a suspension would save, with caveats about pass-through and lost revenue.
- Emphasis
- Savings per fill-up and per year, Bipartisan Policy Center analysis, Highway Trust Fund losses, state price rankings, and uncertainty over Democratic support in Congress.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the G-7 reserve release or Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries as a price driver.
- Charged language
- “soaring”
- For example
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“Studies suggest that, even if Congress approved the suspension, drivers would not receive the full benefit of the tax cut.” — Newsweek
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Short news report leading with Trump's remark and the four states that acted ahead of the midterms, setting it among Trump's efforts to cut energy costs.
- Emphasis
- State-by-state list of governors' actions, Trump's executive order, the G-7 reserve release, and the Iran war and Ukrainian refinery attacks as causes of price rises.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No estimate of how much drivers would save, the revenue cost to the Highway Trust Fund, or whether savings would pass to consumers.
- For example
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“President Trump said Tuesday that he's considering suspending the federal gas tax to lower costs — after four states already did so ahead of the midterm elections.” — New York Post
What every side reports
- Trump said "We're thinking about that" when asked about suspending the federal gas tax.
- The federal tax is 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents on diesel.
- Congress would have to approve a suspension.
- National average gasoline is $4.37 a gallon per AAA.
- Trump signed an executive order on 5 October allowing tax-free dyed diesel on roads through year-end.
- Ohio, Georgia, Indiana and Utah have cut or suspended state fuel taxes.
Where accounts differ
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Ohio's suspension period
- Centre
- A 90-day suspension starting October 4.
- Right
- DeWine waived the taxes through Dec. 31.
Donald Trump person
Says the White House is considering a federal gas tax suspension but has given no details or timeline; he has acted by executive order on dyed diesel.
““We’re thinking about that,” Trump told reporters at the White House.” — New York Post
“did not provide any more details on a potential timeline for this measure.” — Newsweek
Federal gas tax topic
The 18.4 cents per gallon gasoline tax and 24.4 cents diesel tax fund highways and transit; a suspension needs Congress and would cost billions in revenue.
“The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the federal gas tax brings in about $30 billion annually” — Newsweek
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Trump Floats Gas Tax Cut. Here’s How Much You Could Save
Mixed Explainer that tempers the proposal by showing modest, partial savings and a large revenue hit.
Right1 article
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Trump says he’s considering suspending federal gas tax as states lead effort to lower costs
Neutral Straight report presenting Trump's comment as part of a broader push on costs, backed by a list of state actions.
- 6 Oct 22:08 First New York PostR Trump says he’s considering suspending federal gas tax as states lead effort to lower costs
- 7 Oct 11:26 +13h 18m NewsweekN Trump Floats Gas Tax Cut. Here’s How Much You Could Save
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.