Norquist Statement on Biden Gas Tax Gimmick

“After the election, the tax will snap back and all of Biden’s policies that drove gas prices up will continue.”

Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s call for a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax:

“Since the day Biden became president the price of gasoline has more than doubled from $2.39 on Inauguration Day to nearly $5.00 today. Biden now says he wants to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax of 18 cents. After the election, the tax will snap back and all of Biden’s policies that drove gas prices up will continue.”

Biden’s announcement is the latest gimmick from the White House meant to distract voters from the failed policies of the Biden administration that curbed American energy production, driving the highest levels of inflation since December of 1981 and a 34.6 percent increase in energy prices over the past year.

Obama, Dems Previously Blasted Gas Tax Holiday

In 2008, former President Barack Obama dismissed a federal gas tax holiday as “​​a gimmick that would save you half a tank of gas over the course of the entire summer so that everyone in Washington can pat themselves on the back and say they did something,” adding that it “isn’t an idea designed to get you through the summer, it’s designed to get [politicians] through an election.”

In March, House Speaker Nanci Pelosi rejected a gas tax holiday, calling it a “very showbiz” idea “not necessarily landing in the pocket of the consumer.” Additionally, on Tuesday night Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) blasted a gas tax suspension as a “shortsighted and inefficient way to provide relief” to consumers.

Biden Still Backing Tax Hikes on American Energy, Including Oil.

Biden’s call for a temporary pause of the federal gas tax runs contrary to other proposals backed by the administration, including several tax increases in the House-passed “Build Back Better” bill. That legislation, for example, includes a $13 billion tax hike on crude oil that would be paid for by consumers in the form of higher gas prices.

While drivers endure record-high gas prices, the Biden Administration is engaged in cheap political ploys rather than real solutions.

Americans for Tax Reform urges the Biden Administration to instead abandon its numerous tax hikes on American energy, reduce burdensome regulations and encourage domestic energy production.