Blumenthal pushes to lift federal gas tax as prices rise amid Iran conflict
As tensions continue between the United States and Iran, negotiations to end the conflict remain stalled, with both sides rejecting recent proposals.
Iranian state media reported the United States is focused on security and shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, without addressing nuclear weapons. President Donald Trump said those concerns remain a priority and warned the U.S. is closely monitoring Iran’s uranium.
“We have that very well surveilled,” Trump said. “If anybody got near the place, we will know about it, and we’ll blow ’em up.”
The conflict is also affecting the gas pump. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said prices have risen about 60% since the start of the war.
Speaking across the street from a gas station in West Hartford on Monday morning, Blumenthal renewed his push for the Gas Prices Relief Act, which would lift the federal gas tax.
Supporters say the proposal could save drivers up to 18.4 cents per gallon through Oct. 1. The bill was introduced in March but has seen little movement in Congress.
“I want to be very clear-eyed here,” Blumenthal said. “18.4% tax is just a fraction of what consumers are paying. It’s not a solution. It’s not a panacea. It’s just a first step toward lowering the prices of fuel that American consumers deserve.”
Blumenthal said the Trump Administration has been the “main obstacle” to advancing the measure, shifting blame to Trump’s ongoing ballroom project. President Trump has previously claimed the ballroom’s construction was privately funded, but new concerns are being raised after Republicans proposed $1 billion in taxpayer funding for the project.
Blumenthal also highlighted his Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act, which would place a tax on the largest oil companies and return the revenue to consumers as rebates.
Blumenthal’s office also pointed to oil company profits, noting that Shell reported nearly $7 billion in first-quarter earnings amid the conflict. The Senator argues that the people should be seeing more of those profits and relief, not companies.
Even if the gas tax measure passes, experts say drivers may not see the full savings. A Penn Wharton policy analyst said oil prices, refining, and local competition also play major roles in determining gas prices.
Connecticut drivers also face a state gas tax of about 25 cents per gallon. Gov. Ned Lamont previously pushed to suspend it, but that effort stalled.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Connecticut is about $4.62.
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