Maryland Rep. Andy Harris proposes suspending federal gas tax through end of year
Maryland Congressman Andy Harris has introduced legislation that would temporarily suspend the federal gas tax through the end of the year.
The Republican lawmaker said the bill is aimed at providing relief to families, drivers, small businesses, and workers in the trucking industry as fuel prices remain elevated.
"Families and truckers need some immediate relief from the high cost of fuel to drive to work or haul goods across this country. It's time right now to temporarily suspend the federal gas and diesel tax until the end of the year. Hardworking American taxpayers deserve that break," Harris said in a statement.
If passed, Harris' bill would suspend the federal taxes on gasoline and diesel through the end of 2026. Harris also pointed to the timing of the proposal ahead of the November midterm elections.
The federal tax on gasoline is 18.4 cents per gallon, while the diesel tax is 24.4 cents per gallon, according to Harris' office.
Gas prices have risen significantly in Maryland over the past year. AAA reported Tuesday that the average price for regular gasoline in Maryland was $4.20 per gallon, up from $3.06 at the same time last year.
Drivers at a Canton gas station in Baltimore told CBS News Baltimore they are frustrated with prices at the pump. Some said they had hoped prices would come down, while continued instability related to the conflict involving Iran has contributed to higher fuel costs.
Some drivers said they support the idea of temporarily suspending the federal gas tax.
"I think we should do it," one driver said. "If it's gonna save us money, we should do it. If groceries are high, gas is high, something's gotta give."
"Of course, why not let him go ahead and do it?" another driver said. "People are really suffering out here. It's really hard."
A change in position
Harris' support for suspending the federal gas tax marks a change from his position in 2022, when President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats proposed a temporary suspension of the tax.
In a June 2022 social media post, Harris wrote: "Suspending the federal gas tax is just another Biden administration stunt to distract from their self-inflicted crisis."
Biden had called on Congress in June 2022 to suspend the federal gas tax for three months as gas prices surged. His proposal included suspending the 18-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax and the 24-cent-per-gallon diesel tax.
President Donald Trump also backed suspending the federal gas tax in May as fuel prices climbed amid the conflict involving Iran. Trump said the tax should be suspended for a period of time, but Congress would need to approve legislation to make that happen.
Harris' legislation would need to pass both chambers of Congress before it could become law. The federal gas tax is established in statute and is a major source of revenue for the Highway Trust Fund.
The full text of the proposed bill can be read at harris.house.gov.
