Republicans split on suspending federal gas tax despite Trump backing

Republicans are hedging throwing support behind suspending federal gas taxes, despite President Donald Trump backing the idea.

Trump said on Monday he supported suspending the tax “until it’s appropriate,” in an effort to provide voters with relief from spiking gas prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.

However, a federal gas tax pause would require congressional approval, and not all Republicans are convinced about the move.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) called a temporary pause an “intriguing idea,” but told reporters that he wasn’t ready to confirm it would come to the House floor for a vote. 

“I mean, you have to look at any unintended consequences and evaluate all that,” Johnson said. “So I’m not yet ready to project it, but I certainly find it to be an intriguing idea.”

“It may help,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters