Democratic Rep. calls on Biden to oppose suspension of the federal gas tax

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Rep. Earl Blumenauer said President Joe Biden should reject a possible suspension of the federal gas tax, arguing that it "would have negligible impacts for consumers" and "blow a massive hole" in the transportation and infrastructure budget.

Blumenauer — an Oregon Democrat who has served in the House since 1996 — is going against the wishes of several swing-state Democrats, who want to provide any relief at the pump for consumers during a time when the price of gas is averaging a little under $5 a gallon.

However, the congressman in a Thursday letter to Biden referenced an analysis by the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center, which stated that only 18 percent of state gas tax increases or decreases were "passed through to motorists" in the two-week period after the changes were implemented.

"While there is undoubtedly a need to provide American consumers relief from spiking costs, there is no guarantee a gas tax suspension would reduce prices at the pump or stem the broader inflation affecting the global economy, and it may only increase oil companies' bottom lines," he said.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democratic-rep-calls-on-biden-to-oppose-suspension-of-the-federal-gas-tax/ar-AAYDG23

[BootinUp]

1. My reply to the Rep.: Noted. Next?

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. Blumenidiot!

[gulliver]

3. Windfall profit tax the oil companies. Send consumers a restitution check.

Tax the excess profits at 100%.

The check should, if we are to follow the Republican tradition, include a message that President Joe Biden sent the check.

The idea that governments (state or federal) should make up the money lost by consumers to corporate profiteering by oil companies seems like a Republican playbook move to me. The Dem Rep is right.

[in2herbs]

4. AZ Sen. Kelly is promoting a 18.4cent suspension of the federal gas tax. He has ads almost

continuously on local TV about this support. If he's reading this -- NO!!!! and stop pander to people that you think are too stupid to understand what this will do. And what it will do is cause another tax to be imposed in the future to make up this loss of federal funding, a tax that will hurt the middle class. An 18 cent savings on every gallon of gas will not overcome the $5+ that is being paid on every gallon of gas.

Why is it easy for Congress to act in a way that taxes the middle class/poor but not easy for Congress to act in a way that taxes the 1%?