U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., has introduced a bill that would lower gas prices by temporarily suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year, saving Kansans money at a time when gas prices are reaching their highest point in decades.
“People are feeling the strain from rising prices at the gas pump, and that’s not something I think we should ignore or dismiss. I’ve heard from Kansans who say the rise in gas prices is cutting into their savings for their kids’ education,” Rep. Davids said. “A temporary suspension of the federal gas tax is a commonsense step to give Kansans a break from the rising prices while still maintaining our commitment to infrastructure repairs and long-term inflation solutions.”
Rep. Davids also called for a renewed commitment to long-term energy and inflation solutions, noting the bipartisan infrastructure law’s historic investment in electric vehicles and highway repairs. She has been focused on concrete solutions to rising costs, including meeting recently with General Motors workers in Kansas City, Kansas, to share her support for crucial investments in domestic manufacturing and supply chains.
“We have to continue pushing for concrete solutions to reduce inflation, like fixing our supply chains, investing in clean energy, and making more goods in America. I will continue to work across the aisle to make that happen—but the fact is that Kansans need relief now,” Rep. Davids said.
The Gas Prices Relief Act would ensure the Highway Trust Fund remains solvent and that oil and gas companies pass along savings to consumers. In the House, the legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. O’Halleran, Schrier, Harder, Kildee, Correa, Slotkin, Cherfilus-McCormick, and Morelle and was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mark Kelly. Specifically, it will deliver much-needed economic relief to Americans across the country by:
• Suspending the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax until Jan. 1, 2023. Currently, the national average for the cost of a gallon of gas is nearly one dollar higher than it was at this time last year, according to AAA.
• Passing tax savings to Americans and not oil and gas companies by requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to monitor the program in order to ensure oil and gas companies pass along the lower prices to consumers. The bill also encourages the Secretary to take appropriate enforcement actions to ensure consumers see these savings.
• Maintaining the integrity of the Highway Trust Fund by requiring the Department of the Treasury to make general fund transfers to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent.
Following Rep. Davids’ calls to take action on rising gas prices last fall, President Biden released 500 million barrels of oil from the Strategic National Reserve. A spokesman stated that Rep. Davids remains focused on concrete solutions to lower costs for Kansans and connect families with immediate relief, launching a new resource guide on her website at davids.house.gov/lowercosts and continuing her work on supply chain issues that are contributing to inflation.
- Information from Rep. Sharice Davids’ office