Trump Administration Open to Federal Gas Tax Suspension as Fuel Prices Climb Amid Iran Conflict

WASHINGTON — Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday the Trump administration is open to suspending the federal gas tax to provide relief for American drivers facing higher prices tied to the conflict with Iran.

Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Wright stated, “All measures that can be taken to lower the price at the pump and lower the prices for Americans, this administration is in support of.” He added the White House remains “open to all ideas” on the issue.

The federal excise tax on gasoline currently stands at 18.4 cents per gallon, with an additional 24 cents per gallon on diesel. A temporary suspension would reduce the national average price of regular gasoline by roughly 18 cents, from $4.52 per gallon as of Sunday, according to AAA data.

President Donald Trump has previously said he has “thought about” a federal pause and has encouraged states to consider suspending their own fuel taxes. Wright noted that prices could ease further once commercial shipping resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, though he declined to predict a timeline.

Several states have already acted or are weighing their own gas tax relief measures this year. Georgia, Indiana, and Utah have implemented temporary suspensions of state-level fuel taxes in 2026. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has proposed a one-month pause on the state’s 25-cent-per-gallon tax, while lawmakers in Pennsylvania and other states continue to discuss similar proposals.

Any federal suspension would require congressional approval and could temporarily reduce revenue for the Highway Trust Fund, which supports road and infrastructure projects nationwide. Administration officials have described the idea as one tool among several to address short-term price pressures while diplomatic efforts in the Middle East continue.