In an effort to reduce the burden of high gas prices on Americans, President Biden is asking Congress for a temporary gas holiday, by suspending the federal gas and diesel taxes for three months. Louisiana Congressman and Democrat Troy Carter says he supports the President’s proposal, but also believes the administration should look at long-term solutions to lower prices.
“Like using more ethanol, which is grown by American farmers, next-gen biofuel infrastructure that can make it even cleaner and more efficient to produce fuel,” said Carter.
Carter said we should also be looking at ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Republican Congressman Mike Johnson said Biden’s attempt to lower gas prices temporarily is a desperate political attempt to help Democrats in the mid-term elections and he’s ignoring the long-term solution.
“And that is very simple, we need to unleash American energy again, his is a half-baked idea,” said Johnson.
Johnson also fears the temporary removal of the federal gas tax will increase demand without increasing supply.
Carter said he plans to vote in favor of the proposal and he believes the temporary removal of the 18.4 cents federal tax on gas and the 24.4 cents on a gallon of diesel will help, but the administration needs to think long-term.
“And it’s a step in the right direction, it’s temporary help. We need to continue to work on those measures that will give us long-term reductions at the pump,” said Carter.
Johnson said however he along with most Republicans will most likely support the measure because the party is against higher taxes, but he doesn’t believe the tax cut will be extremely effective.
“This is like a Band-aid on a bullet wound. It will have no real effect on anyone and it’s a way for this Biden White House to try to gloss over this problem that is harming every single American,” said Johnson.
Johnson said Americans would save roughly 3.6% at the pump if the tax removal is approved as gas prices average $5 a gallon nationwide.
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