WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced Monday that he intends to pursue a suspension of the federal gasoline tax, aiming to alleviate the strain of escalating fuel prices linked to the war with Iran.

Trump lacks the power to implement this change alone. Any such suspension would require approval from Congress.

Bipartisan lawmakers have advocated for pausing the gas tax, arguing it would deliver essential relief to households and companies dependent on vehicles for commuting, schooling and daily tasks.

Monday's national average gas price stood at $4.52 per gallon, per AAA data - a 50% jump from the pre-war average of just under $3 per gallon.

The federal levy stands at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel, excluding steeper state taxes. It generates over $23 billion annually for highway and transit initiatives.

Questioned by White House reporters on the suspension's duration, Trump replied, "Until it’s appropriate." Though a minor slice of total pump prices, "it’s still money," he noted.

In response to the price surge, the administration has tapped millions of barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and eased sanctions on certain Russian and Iranian oil cargoes en route. Negotiations continue with nations dependent on Middle East oil to form a coalition securing the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil trade passes.

Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley declared on social media Monday he would file a bill to pause the gas tax. Democrats have backed comparable measures before. Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican, posted on X that she plans to introduce legislation "to suspend the federal gas tax in light of Trump’s recent remarks."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated Monday he has not favored a gas tax holiday, but noted: "You know, I’ve got some colleagues out there who think it’s a good idea. So, we’ll hear them out."

The South Dakota Republican prefers restoring access to the Strait of Hormuz to "normalize gas prices" sans new laws. "Obviously, any time you suspend the gas tax, that leaves a big hole in the highway trust fund, which also has implications down the road," he explained.

Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul countered that "instead of suspending the tax, we should suspend the war."

The persistent fuel price increases have sparked concerns among Republicans about potential damage to midterm election prospects.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, facing a challenging runoff this month to retain his seat, questioned funding for roads and bridges absent the tax but distinguished between short-term and lasting pauses.

"A temporary suspension to get through this sort of bumpy time because of the uncertainty about energy prices, I could live with that," he remarked.

Trump has defended elevated fuel costs as a necessary cost to block Iran's nuclear ambitions. That stance seemed to moderate Sunday when Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC’s "Meet the Press" the administration is "open to all ideas," including a gas tax suspension.

Legislation from Connecticut Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Arizona's Mark Kelly proposes halting the federal tax until Oct. 1. A matching House bill comes from New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.

"Trump’s war of choice with Iran is driving up gas prices across the country - and Americans shouldn’t have to bear the additional economic burden of Trump’s reckless decision making," Blumenthal said upon introducing it.

Kelly informed reporters Monday he favors his bill but would accept "whatever we can get at this point."

"People need relief," he emphasized.

States like Indiana and Georgia have paused their own gas taxes recently to counter war-driven highs. Kentucky and Utah have cut theirs, while others consider matching steps.

The gasoline tax funds the bulk of federal highway and public transit programs.

Though bills aim to replace lost Highway Trust Fund money via general revenues, critics warn a suspension could inflate deficits and threaten sustained infrastructure funding, per the American Road and Transportation Builders Association representing the construction sector.

The organization points to studies indicating retailers often withhold full tax cut benefits from buyers. Analyses also note gas taxes form just one piece of a multifaceted pricing puzzle involving crude oil markets and more.