United States President Joe Biden makes a desperate plea for a three-month gas tax holiday to Congress, but many Americans believe that the proposal is only a "fake fix" and does not wholly address the issue.
The Democrat also asked states to suspend their own gas taxes or provide commensurate relief to consumers. Biden's desperate plea comes as the federal government charges an 18.4-cent tax per gallon of gasoline and a 24.4-cent tax per gallon of diesel.
Gas Tax Holiday
If Congress suspends the tax for three months, which will go through until the end of September, it would cost the country roughly $10 billion, said the White House. In a statement delivered from the South Court Auditorium, Biden said, "I fully understand that the gas tax holiday alone is not going to fix the problem."
Joe Biden has caused gas prices to hit historic highs by killing American energy and implementing 39 new regulations and executive orders.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) June 22, 2022
Suspending the gas tax will not fix Biden’s energy crisis. It is a fake fix.
After everything the federal government has done to cause gasoline to be $5/gallon, Biden’s proposed federal gas tax holiday seems a bit like the arsonist throwing a small bucket of water on the burning house.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 22, 2022
Joe Biden's plan for a 90-day federal gas tax holiday will only save you $0.18 when the national average price has increased by more than $2.50 since he took office. It's like trying to fix a bursting water pipe with scotch tape.
— Jennifer-Ruth Green (@JenRuthGreen) June 22, 2022
The president added that the process would provide families with some immediate relief, which would be a little breathing room as the government continues to work on bringing down the prices in the long run, as per ABC News.
However, the idea may not get the reception that Biden is looking for from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. In a statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that they will see where the consensus lies on a path forward for the president's proposal in the House and the Senate.
Karine Jean-Pierre attempts to explain why Biden decided to propose his gas tax gimmick.
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 22, 2022
It did not go well. pic.twitter.com/TI88dsUGIW
The federal gas tax is 18 cents. Since Biden's inauguration, gas prices have increased by ~$2.50 per gallon – 14 TIMES fed gas tax. Gas prices more than doubled since the Trump administration. This is a direct result of the Biden Administration’s war on American energy production
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) June 22, 2022
Here's Barack Obama in 2008 calling a gas tax holiday a 'gimmick.'
— Daniel Turner (@DanielTurnerPTF) June 22, 2022
Joe Biden should suspend his radical green agenda instead. pic.twitter.com/dMJJgQTW8h
Biden wants to give Americans a “gas tax holiday," saving $.18/gallon.@POTUS, it’s not the 18 cents hurting Americans, it’s the $5 before it.
— Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (@RepBethVanDuyne) June 22, 2022
President Biden just asked Congress to suspend the 18-cent federal gas tax.
— John Stossel (@JohnStossel) June 22, 2022
It's good to allow people to keep more of our money, but this does nothing to address the root causes of high gas prices, many of which were caused by him: pic.twitter.com/OhpedRFEys
Read Also: Mike Pence Bemoans President Joe Biden's Economic Agenda, Navigates a Possible White House Run
On Wednesday, Sen. Joe Manchin said that as of now, he was not on a "yes" vote with regards to Biden's plan. He said that the idea would put another hole in the country's budget and noted that it would be very concerning.He said that 18 cents was not going to be straight across the board.
According to CNBC, the rise in fuel prices is only the most noticeable strain on consumer pocketbooks, and signs across the country are showing the issue in the current price per gallon. The national average peaked at $5 per gallon for the first time earlier this month.
Rising Fuel Prices
OPIS Global's Tom Kloza noted that the situation has become an Achilles' heel for the administration despite it having nothing to do with policies since Biden came into power. The head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, Patrick De Haan, said that if the bill was signed and enacted, it would help motorists in the country.
However, he noted that the extent to which any relief is felt will depend on wholesale prices remaining stable. The wording and timing of any potential legislation will also be a factor in how it affects the people of the country.
Biden wants a stop on a 18 cent gas tax. Fk that. Open up the pipe lines so we can get BACK to $2 gas again.
— John (@AZ_AMERICAN2000) June 22, 2022
If Joe Biden wants to suspend the gas tax for 3 months in order to lower the price of gas for Americans, why doesn’t he also support lowering taxes across the board?
— Murray 🇺🇸 (@Rothbard1776) June 22, 2022
Not only would this lower the cost of vital goods and services, but it would also boost everyone’s income.
The proposal is Biden's latest attempt to show that he is taking initiative in trying to reduce fuel prices as Americans grow more frustrated by the additional financial burden. White House officials have been considering a gas tax holiday for months but decided not to until in part because of concerns about how it might be received in Congress.
Republican lawmakers widely oppose lifting the gas tax along with some Democrats, including former President Barack Obama during his campaign trail in 2008. However, Biden determined that even small steps bordering on symbolic are worth taking, CNN reported.
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