Trump backs federal gas tax suspension

President Trump endorsed suspension of the federal gasoline tax in an interview with CBS News Monday.

Why it matters: It marks a reversal for the White House as Republicans face political blowback over high gasoline prices.

• Last week the White House told Axios that a suspension was not "currently under consideration."

Driving the news: "[W]e're going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we'll let it phase back in," he told CBS.

Reality check: Suspending the 18.4 cent-per-gallon tax would require Congress.

• Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) posted on X that he'll introduce legislation Monday to suspend the tax.
• The White House did not say whether Trump would seek action from Capitol Hill.

Catch up quick: Gasoline prices have soared since the start of the war with Iran.

• The U.S. average for regular gasoline is currently $4.52 per gallon, per AAA, up from just under $3 per gallon before the conflict.

What we're watching: The potential for action in Congress, which thus far has not taken up the topic.

• Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) have sponsored a bill to suspend the tax until Oct. 1, and Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas (N.H.) has a companion measure.

Go deeper: What a gas tax holiday would actually do