President Joe Biden called on Congress to suspend the federal gasoline tax, a largely symbolic move by an embattled president running out of options to ease pump prices weighing on his party’s political prospects, Bloomberg News reported. “By suspending the 18 cent federal gas tax for the next 90 days, we can bring down the price of gas and give families just a little bit of relief,” Biden said Wednesday at the White House. He said that states, many of which are enjoying budget surpluses thanks in part to federal pandemic stimulus, should also suspend their own gas taxes, and he called on refiners and gasoline retailers to make sure “every penny” of the tax pause goes to consumers. “Your customers, the American people, they need relief now,” Biden said. “Bring down the price you are charging at the pump to reflect the cost you are paying for the product. Do it now, do it today.” Biden also rebutted Republican criticism of his handling of gasoline prices, blaming the recent spike on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The average national price for regular unleaded is up about 38% since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, according to data from the motor club AAA compiled by Bloomberg.
