Rising fuel prices driven by Middle East supply disruptions since February 2026 have prompted renewed calls to suspend the 18.4-cent federal gasoline excise tax that funds the Highway Trust Fund. President Trump issued an October 5 executive order providing temporary diesel excise tax deferral and dyed-diesel highway-use penalty relief through December 31, 2026, but this does not suspend the gasoline tax or eliminate any liability. Multiple bipartisan bills to pause the gas tax (and diesel tax) through late 2026 or beyond remain stalled in committee, with Congress adjourned and no floor votes scheduled. Historical precedent shows Congress has never enacted such a suspension despite repeated proposals, leaving legislative passage as the primary barrier to any near-term change.