The Trump administration is considering suspending the 18.4-cent federal gasoline tax as rising fuel prices intensify pressure on US consumers and businesses, while recent measures seek to expand access to tax-exempt diesel fuel.
President Donald Trump said on 6 October 2026 that his administration is considering suspending the federal gas tax. The proposal responds to mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, which have become a major political concern for Republicans heading into the midterm elections.
The 18.4-cent federal gasoline tax would require Congressional approval to suspend. Any legislative action would need to pass both the Senate and House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold narrow majorities.
One day before his remarks about the gas tax, Trump signed an executive order to expand access to tax-exempt diesel fuel. The move signals the administration’s focus on reducing the financial burden that high fuel prices place on consumers and businesses.
Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 32% according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on 5 October. Americans cite high costs of living as their primary concern, with soaring gasoline and diesel prices identified as key factors in economic anxiety.
Fuel prices have risen sharply in response to international conflicts. The US-Israeli war on Iran and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have prompted attacks on refineries in the Middle East and Russia, disrupting global supply chains and raising energy costs globally.
