Local congressman introduces gas tax relief bill as prices at the pump soar

Congressman Brendan Boyle proposes pausing subsidies to gas and oil companies to offset lost revenue from federal gas tax reduction.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:21pm

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A photorealistic painting of a single gas pump on an empty urban street, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the pavement, conveying a sense of solitude and economic hardship.As gas prices continue to soar, a lone gas pump stands as a symbol of the financial strain facing local drivers and the working class.Philadelphia Today

Drivers across the Philadelphia region are feeling the financial strain of rising gas prices, with the national average reaching $4.11 per gallon. In response, local Congressman Brendan Boyle is introducing a bill that would reduce the federal gas tax of 18 cents per gallon when the national average exceeds $4, with the lost revenue offset by pausing subsidies to gas and oil companies.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict in Iran and closures along the Strait of Hormuz have inflated global gas prices, impacting local drivers and the working class who are bearing the brunt of the increases. Boyle's proposed tax relief could provide much-needed financial assistance to residents struggling with the rising cost of living.

The details

Congressman Boyle's bill would reduce the federal gas tax of 18 cents per gallon when the national average exceeds $4, with the lost revenue offset by pausing subsidies to gas and oil companies. This would redirect those funds into the Federal Highway Trust Fund instead.

  • The national average for a gallon of gas has reached $4.11.
  • Prices in the Philadelphia region range from $3.99 a gallon in Delaware to $4.10 in Philadelphia.
  • The war in Iran and closures along the Strait of Hormuz have inflated gas prices globally, despite a fragile two-week ceasefire.

The players

Congressman Brendan Boyle

A U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania who is introducing a bill to provide gas tax relief to drivers.

Shaka Trotter

A West Philadelphia resident who says he has to choose between walking to work or buying groceries due to the high gas prices.

Junior Jones

A Northeast Philadelphia resident who says the gas price increases are hurting his pockets and impacting other areas of his daily life.

Bruce Ruffin

A West Oak Lane resident who wants to see more progress towards peace in the Middle East to help alleviate the global oil supply issues.

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What they’re saying

“I have to choose. Walk to work, or buy groceries.”

— Shaka Trotter, West Philadelphia resident

“Now I have to pay an extra 20 bucks. And it goes beyond gas, it goes to other areas of daily life as well.”

— Junior Jones, Northeast Philadelphia resident

“I really want peace in the Middle East. That's what Donald Trump said he would deliver, he's not delivering it. Right now, we're supposed to be in a ceasefire, but I don't see much of a ceasefire. We want to open up the Strait of Hormuz.”

— Bruce Ruffin, West Oak Lane resident

What’s next

If passed, Congressman Boyle's proposed gas tax relief bill would offer financial assistance to drivers in the Philadelphia region and across the country, regardless of how the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran unfold.

The takeaway

This case highlights the significant economic burden that rising gas prices are placing on working-class residents in the Philadelphia area, underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions to provide relief and support during these challenging times.