President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Congress to suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes for three months — an election-year move meant to ease financial pressures that was greeted with doubts by many lawmakers.
But Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly suggests that if the pause is approved by Congress, it should last through the end of the year.
“When you consider, you know, the release that people need, certainly through the end of the year makes sense," Kelly said.
Biden also called on states to suspend their own gas taxes or provide similar relief, and he delivered a public critique of the energy industry for prioritizing profits over production. It would take action by lawmakers in Washington and in statehouses across the country to actually bring relief to consumers.
“It doesn’t reduce all the pain but it will be a big help," Biden said, using the bully pulpit when his administration believes it has run out of direct levers to address soaring gas prices. "I’m doing my part. I want Congress, states and industry to do their part as well.”
Pausing the gas tax is only part of the solution to lowering gas prices, Kelly said, adding that oil and gas companies should increase production.
