Two Senate Democrats introduced legislation on Wednesday that would suspend the federal gas tax through the remainder of 2022, a bid to offset costs amid rising gas prices nationwide and help vulnerable colleagues facing reelection this November.
The Gas Price Relief Act, introduced Wednesday by Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, would suspend the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon through 2023. It comes as the average price of gas in the U.S. has risen to exceed $3.45 per gallon, according to an estimate from AAA, up roughly $1 from the previous year. It also comes as inflation rates have skyrocketed to their highest point in decades, putting an additional squeeze on consumers’ wallets.
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The legislation also comes as Senate Democrats seek to retain control of their seats in the 50-50 chamber in this year’s midterm elections. Both Kelly and Hassan are facing reelection in swing states this November.
Experts expect gas prices to rise even higher in the coming months as many return to in-person activities, such as traveling and returning to the office.
Some states are likely to feel the squeeze faster than others: In Kelly’s home state of Arizona, for example, analysts said the price per gallon could rise to $4 as early as April.
“Arizonans are paying some of the highest prices for gas we have seen in years and it’s putting a strain on families who need to fill up the tank to get to work and school,” Kelly said in a statement Wednesday, adding that the effort would give relief to families struggling with high costs “for everything from gas to groceries.”
To offset the lost revenue from taxes, the bill would require the Treasury Department to transfer money from a general fund into the Highway Trust Fund, which helps pay for road maintenance and other construction, in order to keep it solvent through 2023.
“We need to continue to think creatively about how we can find new ways to bring down costs, and this bill would do exactly that, making a tangible difference for workers and families,” Hassan said in a statement announcing the effort.
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Four additional Democrats also supported the legislation on Wednesday, though it remains to be seen whether the effort will gain traction among Republicans in the chamber.
