Could Trump suspend the federal gas tax as the Iran war continues?

CBS News
March 27, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

President Trump is considering suspending the 18.4-cent federal gas tax to ease prices amid the Iran conflict.

How This Affects You

A gas tax suspension could save you 18.4 cents per gallon but would reduce federal highway maintenance funding, potentially affecting road quality.

AI Summary

President Trump said he is considering suspending the federal gas tax amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The potential move reflects concern about fuel prices and their impact on consumers and the economy during a period of geopolitical tension. Suspending the federal gas tax—currently 18.4 cents per gallon—would reduce revenue for highway maintenance and infrastructure projects funded through the Highway Trust Fund. Such a suspension could provide short-term relief at the pump but would shift funding pressures to states or require alternative revenue sources. The proposal comes as oil markets remain sensitive to developments in the Iran conflict and its potential to disrupt global energy supplies.

What's Being Done

President Trump said he is considering suspending the federal gas tax.

Source Coverage Map

2 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

5% coverage
Did Not Cover (41)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+36 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

2 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Spiking gas prices tied to Iran war are set to eat up tax refunds touted by Trump - AP News
Politics

Spiking gas prices tied to Iran war are set to eat up tax refunds touted by Trump - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxObFRXbllNSWtad1FzcEtFdVNRMzIwWW9DMzJxSnBMWkRUbjBjUGVhRG43VE9fUzlYNnRySVBKbDIyU1JsdVFCWTRXOEhsRmg5T2ZYR3FGV1UteDVCclo0UU5ZdmZBc1ZHQkpTcFNjUEpTNURJY2FzXy1xOUhsZUQxa2Q0WGdQc19YcEgwOWhoVW1oQQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Spiking gas prices tied to Iran war are set to eat up tax refunds touted by Trump</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 22
Trump approval sinks to 36 percent in Reuters/Ipsos poll amid gas price spike, Iran war
Politics

Trump approval sinks to 36 percent in Reuters/Ipsos poll amid gas price spike, Iran war

President Trump’s approval rating is taking a hit during his administration’s military operations against Iran, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The president’s job performance rating sunk to a new low of 36 percent in the Reuters/Ipsos survey, with 62 percent of respondents saying they disapproved of Trump’s performance. A survey from the polling center only…

The HillMar 24
‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war
Politics

‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war

<p>Though the majority of the president’s base backs the war, a schism has developed among Trump-touting media stars</p><p>When the histories of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">Iran war</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a>’s “Make America great again” (Maga) movement are written, there may be a special place for the words of former US congresswoman <a href="https://x.com/mtgreenee/status/2033523572228952562">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>: “I wholeheartedly support Megyn Kelly telling the world that Mark Levin has a micropenis.”</p><p>Greene’s social media post summed up how the media stars of the Trump coalition <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/us/politics/iran-war-trump-conservative-divide-israel.html">have turned on each other</a> in a ferocious, bitter and – sometimes – vulgar brawl. Figures such as Kelly, Levin, Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro have clashed over...

The Guardian US NewsMar 22
Politics chat: Trump's mixed messages on the Iran war, the latest on DHS funding
Politics

Politics chat: Trump's mixed messages on the Iran war, the latest on DHS funding

We look at President Trump's mixed messages on the war with Iran, plus the latest on Department of Homeland Security funding, which Congress has frozen over his immigration enforcement policies.

NPRMar 22
Trump visits Memphis to tout crime-fighting efforts in shadow of Iran war - Reuters
Politics

Trump visits Memphis to tout crime-fighting efforts in shadow of Iran war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxPUHY4cjctVHRJUHQwZzZ1MTBmRGxRT24wQlV4bXMtMjlFTWpISHZZZk5sUnJIS2w3by1hQlBiSFVnWUppUEtzYko4SXlyeEdIUXo5NHEzVThQQ2JROTY0S1B5c010dm4yZFRFV1AyOGZwcG9wMl85R08yUXpKRTRGS2xlbzBIUlFrdDJEdGh1cjljYjNZQkxrZmxIRXE2bC1oQm8yaWxRZEdTYUstQmZr?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump visits Memphis to tout crime-fighting efforts in shadow of Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 23
Trump makes a detour to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis during Iran war and airport turmoil - AP News
Politics

Trump makes a detour to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis during Iran war and airport turmoil - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxOS0gxd08tWklXWERnTGV0Y2I2djlHYTdNQjhkbFhxNEpiOU1CUHJjT3N4NFR4c005eUoyb0tVLWZPSWR2SDY4eXE0MXR2NXJGNnlaNTdxLVBMWWN5bVRhbGRIdkkzU1M4QTZUOGMzRWpBdjdoa0E5X0d1Wm1jeUZGSTNQWUFnRHk5OVhOSXZ6a3p5RVczb0JfQw?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump heads to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, a detour during Iran war and airport turmoil</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 23
Read Next
Trump administration to face questions about seizure of Fulton County ballots
Politics

Trump administration to face questions about seizure of Fulton County ballots

Trump administration attorneys will face serious questions for the first time on Friday about the seizure of 2020 election records from a Fulton County election site.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources