President Trump Floats Fuel Tax Increase Trial Balloon

According to Delaware Senator Tom Carper, President Trump repeatedly signaled his potential support for a 25 cent increase in the federal tax on gasoline and diesel fuel in a private meeting with Congressional leaders. Federal fuel taxes have not been raised since 1993, and the federal Highway Trust Fund is predicted to become insolvent sometime in 2021.

The proposed increase is supported by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, but opposed by conservative groups, including Americans for Tax Reform. Although the White House refused to comment directly on Senator Carper’s statement, the administration did issue a general statement that “everything is on the table” in terms of funding Trump’s still vague infrastructure proposals.