Trump calls for suspension of federal gas tax

With the war in Iran entering its 11th week and fuel costs continuing to climb, President Donald Trump told CBS News on Monday morning that he intends to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax. The move is a direct attempt to provide relief to American consumers as gas prices have surged more than 50% since the start of the conflict on February 28. According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline hit $4.52 on Sunday, a sharp increase from the sub-$3.00 average seen before the war began. Analysts warn that as long as Iran maintains its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, global oil supplies will remain constricted. Following the president's comments, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said Monday that he would introduce legislation to suspend the federal gas tax. And GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida also said she plans to introduce a bill in the House this week to suspend the federal gas tax "in light of Trump's recent remarks." Several Democratic lawmakers had already introduced legislation to either pause or lower it.