VIDEO: Pappas Urges Suspension of Federal Gas Tax to Lower Costs at the Pump

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) spoke on the House floor calling for Congress to pass his legislation to suspend the federal gas tax through October 1, 2026 and provide Americans with badly-needed relief from the historic increase in gas prices as a result of this administration’s military action in Iran. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gasoline has increased 35% in under 30 days, now averaging $3.98 per gallon.

Pappas’s Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 suspends the 18.4 cents per gallon gasoline tax, safeguards and maintains funding for our roads and bridges, and holds oil and gas producers accountable if they fail to pass along the benefits of this tax cut to consumers.

Read his full remarks below or watch the video here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, 

Everyone in New Hampshire is talking about the cost of living and skyrocketing gas prices as a result of the war in Iran. 

Higher gas prices are forcing families and small businesses to make difficult decisions. 

The average cost of a gallon of gas in America is now $3.98, a 35% price jump in just under 30 days.

That’s simply unsustainable for the people of my district who are already facing record-high grocery costs due to President Trump’s tariffs and the doubling and tripling of health insurance premiums because of the failure to extend ACA premium tax credits.

Granite Staters are taking it on the chin, and it's time to get something done to help.

That’s why I introduced the Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 with Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona to suspend the federal gas tax through September and provide Americans with lower costs at the pump.

This bill maintains funding for our roads and bridges, and holds the oil and gas companies accountable if they fail to pass along the savings to consumers.

These soaring prices mean that every school drop off, every trip to the doctor or drive to work, takes a bigger bite out of a family's budget.

So I urge Congress to take up this legislation and provide Americans with the lower costs that they deserve.

Background: 

In 2022, Pappas co-sponsored the Gas Prices Relief Act to suspend the gas tax and led the fight to hold corporations accountable for price gouging and driving up costs for New Hampshire families. In January, he introduced a package of legislation to lower energy costs for Granite Staters and keep more money in the pockets of hard-working Americans.