Key facts
- House Republicans have adjourned until after Election Day.
- A proposal to suspend the federal fuel tax for a few months around Election Day was led by Rep. Andy Harris.
- The federal fuel tax is 18.4 cents per gallon of gas and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel.
- Some Republicans opposed the fuel tax suspension due to concerns about the federal highway fund.
- Seven Republicans voted for a resolution to rein in Trump's authority over the conflict in Iran.
House Republicans have departed Washington, D.C., for the election season, leaving several economic policy initiatives, including a proposed suspension of the federal fuel tax, unresolved. Speaker Mike Johnson stated at a news conference that Republicans are focused on bringing down the cost of living and are constantly developing new ideas to address affordability issues.
However, implementing these ideas faces internal party divisions. A group of ultraconservative members, led by Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, pushed to suspend the federal fuel tax—18.4 cents per gallon of gas and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel—for the months leading up to Election Day. Harris argued that Washington should not exacerbate the high prices Americans are paying at the pump. The proposal encountered opposition from some Republicans who were concerned about depleting the federal fund that finances highway projects and were wary of perceived hypocrisy, as some had previously opposed similar measures under the Biden administration.
In separate votes, seven Republicans supported a Democratic resolution aimed at limiting President Trump's authority over the conflict in Iran. This marked an increase from previous votes on Iran war powers. Two of these representatives, Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks from Iowa, cited the impact of spiking fuel prices on the state's agriculture industry as a reason for their vote. Later, Rep. Ashley Hinson, also from Iowa, announced she would not attend a rally with Vice President JD Vance due to a scheduling conflict.