Democrats Propose Gas Tax Holiday

FEB 16 2022·Updated DEC 21 2022

Story

Image credit: Rogelio V. Solis/File [via PJ Media]

The Facts

The White House is reportedly weighing a Democratic bill to waive the federal gas tax as a way to provide consumers relief from inflation.
CBS News
With gas prices up 40% from last year, a group of senators proposed to suspend the tax (18.4 cents per gallon) through the end of the year.
CBS News
The plan has been met by bipartisan opposition for economic and environmental reasons.
The Hill
The gas tax revenue goes into the Highway Trust Fund to help cover highway construction projects and public transit.
Forbes

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Saving Americans money on gas will make things easier in these tough financial times. The recent passing of the infrastructure bill means there will be enough money to still take care of roads and bridges.

Boston 25 News

Narrative B

There are too many other factors -- like the Ukraine-Russia tensions, snarled supply chains and anticipated increased travel in spring and summer -- for this plan to make much of a difference at the pump.

Market Watch

Cynical narrative

Politicians from both parties have no problem piling on the federal debt. In this case the Democrats, who are staring down negative polls ahead of the midterms, are doing it in order to distract voters with promises of money.

PJ Media