Philly Congressman Proposes Bill to Pause Federal Gas Tax Amid Iran War

The bill would redirect funds from oil and gas subsidies to the Highway Trust Fund to provide relief at the pump.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:56pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of a gas pump handle in a fractured, overlapping style, using bold red, orange, and yellow colors to convey the volatility of rising fuel prices.The proposed Gas Price Relief Act aims to provide temporary respite from soaring fuel costs impacting Philadelphia and the nation.Philadelphia Today

Rep. Brendan Boyle (Pa.-02) has announced the Gas Price Relief Act, which would automatically pause the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax anytime national gas prices rise above $4 per gallon. The bill would redirect funds from federal subsidies for oil and gas companies into the Highway Trust Fund to prevent a funding gap.

Why it matters

The ongoing war with Iran has sent gas prices spiraling, pushing inflation to its highest level in two years. This bill aims to provide direct relief to consumers at the pump during this period of economic uncertainty and geopolitical turmoil.

The details

Boyle, speaking in front of a Philadelphia gas station, said the bill would automatically pause the federal gas tax when prices rise above $4 per gallon nationally. To prevent a funding gap in the Highway Trust Fund, the bill would redirect money from federal subsidies for oil and gas companies into the fund.

  • On Tuesday, the average gas price in Pennsylvania was $4.14 per gallon, according to AAA.
  • The national average gas price on Tuesday was $4.118, according to AAA.
  • Surging gas prices pushed inflation to its highest level in two years last month as the war with Iran sent gas prices spiraling.

The players

Rep. Brendan Boyle

A Democratic congressman representing Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district, who has proposed the Gas Price Relief Act.

Ronald Dieudonne

A Philadelphia resident who says the rising gas prices are 'outrageous', with his car now costing $30-$40 to fill up compared to $22 previously.

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What they’re saying

“So, what this legislation would do is redirect the funds from the subsidies that the oil and gas companies get, and instead put those funds directly into our Highway Trust Fund. That way, we could deliver some relief to those here in Philadelphia and nationally. We're suffering as a result of this dramatic increase in gas prices.”

— Rep. Brendan Boyle, Congressman

“It's outrageous, that's what I can tell you. This car used to cost me $22 to fill, and now its $30 to $40. You know what I mean?”

— Ronald Dieudonne, Philadelphia Resident

What’s next

In order for Boyle's bill to become law, it will still have to passed by Congress and signed by the president.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to provide direct financial relief to consumers struggling with the high gas prices caused by the ongoing war with Iran, by pausing the federal gas tax and redirecting funds from oil and gas subsidies. However, the bill still faces the hurdle of passing through Congress and being signed into law by the president.