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CONGRESSMAN MORELLE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE FEDERAL GAS TAX AND LOWER COSTS FOR FAMILIES

February 19, 2022

Legislation takes action to alleviate rising cost at the pumps and save families money

(Rochester, NY)Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced he has partnered with colleagues in the House of Representatives to introduce legislation that will lower costs for families in our community. The Gas Prices Relief Act would help reduce high gas costs by temporarily suspending the 18.4 cent per gallon federal gas tax until January 1, 2023. 

“It’s no secret that families are feeling the pinch in their wallets from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic—that’s why my colleagues and I are committed to doing everything we can to lower costs,” said Rep. Morelle. “Waiving the federal gas tax is a common-sense solution that will help ease the burden on families during these challenging times. I’m proud to co-sponsor this legislation and look forward to working alongside my partners in Congress to make it a reality.”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant supply chain bottlenecks, driving up prices at the gas pump and the grocery store. According to the American Automobile Association, the national average for the cost of a gallon of gas is nearly $1 higher than it was at the same time last year. The Gas Prices Relief Act seeks to offset those rising costs and help everyday families save money during an already fiscally challenging time.

Recently, Rep. Morelle joined members of the New Democrat Coalition in forming the Inflation Working Group. Members in the group work to advance policy solutions that lower costs for American families, free up supply chains, and fight inflationary pressures over the short- and long-term.

In the House, the Gas Prices Relief Act is co-sponsored by Reps. O’Halleran, Correa, Davids, Schrier, Harder, Kildee, Slotkin, and Cherfilus-McCormick and Sen. Mark Kelly in the Senate:

“Even small price increases make a painful dent for rural and tribal families in our district, where Arizonans oftentimes traverse more miles than anywhere else in the country to get to the grocery store, get to the pharmacy or see their doctor, and get to work and school—destinations that those living in bigger cities and towns often travel only blocks to reach,” said O’Halleran. “By suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year, we’re working to provide Arizona families with relief at the gas pump—18 cents per gallon—and to lower shipping costs across the board, which will help keep prices of milk, bread, meat, and other important groceries for families down.”

“We all know the price of gasoline is high. This is a burden on the hardworking people in my district.  As we continue to recover from the pandemic, my constituents need some relief from high prices,” said Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46). “Temporarily stopping the gas tax will make the difference in what my constituents pay at the pump.  It will also bring down the costs of groceries and other items. I am proud to work with my colleagues in Congress to continue to find solutions to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”

“People are feeling the strain from rising prices at the gas pump, and that’s not something I think we should ignore or dismiss. I’ve heard from Kansans who say the rise in gas prices is cutting into their savings for their kids’ education,” said Rep. ShariceDavids (KS-03). “A temporary suspension of the federal gas tax is a commonsense step to give Kansans a break from the rising prices while still maintaining our commitment to infrastructure repairs and long-term energy solutions.”
 

“People in my district and across the country are feeling the pinch at the gas pump and in the grocery store. What’s infuriating is that this is happening at the same time that gas and oil companies are making record profits. A gas tax holiday is one way to get relief to American families right away,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08).

“Families in the Central Valley pay some of the highest gas prices in the country, and I’m sick and tired of government making the situation worse. Today, my colleagues and I introduced legislation to suspend the gas tax so our families can keep a few more dollars in their pockets,” said Rep. Josh Harder (CA-10). “My number one priority right now is bringing prices down so everyone can afford to live and raise a family in the Valley. The government needs to stop taxing us left and right, and instead give our families a break.”

“I am working to lower costs for Michigan families, including reducing prices at the pump,” Congressman Kildee (MI-05) said. “Many families are seeing higher prices because of pandemic-related supply chain issues. Helping to lower gas prices is one way that we can immediately put more money back in the pockets of working families.”

“This legislation will greatly help parents who are taking their children to school every day and workers who are commuting to their place of employment,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20). “With the sudden rise in inflation, we on Capitol Hill must find ways to reduce the burden families are paying at the pump. To the opponents of this bill, you are telling the American People that you are okay with the price of gas today. That is not in line with what I hear from my constituents in South Florida. It is time we in Congress put our partisan differences aside and support a bill that will bring financial relief to millions of families.”