A group of House lawmakers is rallying behind raising the tax on gas as a way to pay for infrastructure spending, a measure that both team-right and team-left have avoided thus far.
The group of 58 lawmakers, dubbed the Problem Solvers Caucus, proposed indexing gas and diesel taxes to inflation, highway construction costs, fuel-economy standards, or a combination of the three, according to the Wall Street Journal.
A new infrastructure report released on Friday identified several possible fee increases, including a vehicle-miles traveled tax that would collect revenue from electric vehicles.
This would be the first time Congress raised the gas tax since 1993, all to ensure the smooth sailing of Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure package.
“We cannot afford four more years of crumbling bridges, roads, and tunnels, lead-filled pipes, and failed transportation, which is why the Problem Solvers Caucus is putting partisanship aside to find a solution that brings both parties to the table,” said the group’s co-chairman, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).
Senate republicans said Thursday they would not support raising the gas tax. However, with control of the House and Senate, team-left has the power to pass an infrastructure package without republican support.
“The time is now for Congress and the administration to reach across the aisle, unite and boost investments in our surface transportation network that will move our transportation systems into the 21st century,” said Brian Fitzpatrick, another leader in the caucus.
