Trump Backs Federal Gas Tax Holiday as Hawley Moves to Introduce Bill

Published: May 11, 2026 - 5:34 p.m.

By Analese Hartford

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump recently signaled a desire to lower fuel costs by suspending the federal gas tax, yet the path to a gas tax holiday remains tethered to a complex legislative process. While the president expressed a commitment to reducing the burden on drivers until market conditions stabilize, he does not have the legal authority to act alone through an executive order. Under federal law, only the House of Representatives and the Senate can authorize a suspension or change to these collections. The federal tax currently sits at 18.4 cents per gallon for regular and premium gasoline, along with 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel. These rates have not moved since 1993. If a suspension moved forward today, a national average of $4.52 per gallon would drop to roughly $4.34. It is a modest reduction when compared to the total cost of a fill-up, but the move faces stiff opposition from those concerned about the long-term health of the country's infrastructure. Most of this revenue flows directly into the Highway Trust Fund. According to data from the Congressional Budget Office, the government collected approximately $39 billion from these taxes in 2025. That breaks down to roughly $3 billion every month. This money serves as the primary source of funding for the construction, maintenance and repair of the interstate highway system, as well as mass transit projects like railways and bridges. If that funding is cut off, many road projects in states like Ohio could face significant delays or complete work stoppages. The fund is already struggling to keep up with the rising costs of construction. Because the tax has not been increased in more than three decades, the purchasing power of those 18.4 cents has diminished significantly while the cost of labor and raw materials has climbed. Some lawmakers argue that a holiday would further deplete a fund that is already running low on reserves. Despite these concerns, some members of Congress are moving to turn the president's goal into reality. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, announced plans to introduce a bill that would formalize the suspension. It is expected that many in his party will align with the proposal, though the specific duration of the holiday and a plan to backfill the lost infrastructure revenue remain unclear. Any federal action would not impact state-level taxes, which are managed independently by local governments. In Ohio, drivers currently pay a state fuel tax of 38.5 cents per gallon on top of whatever the federal government collects at the pump. Hawley has not yet released the full text of his proposed legislation to the public. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.