WASHINGTON – North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer said he opposes President Donald Trump’s plan to suspend the federal gas tax to lower prices at the pump.
On The Jay Thomas Show, Cramer said if you remove the gas tax, that gives gas stations, truckers, oil companies and refineries 18.4 more cents a gallon to add to the price for them.
“I’ve been thinking about writing something about this, but I don’t want the president to get too mad at me. I just think that taxes like interest rates are priced into the supply demand formula. If you take take the taxes out, another part of the demand will fill it,” Cramer said.
The president doesn’t have the power to suspend or remove the federal gas tax. Only Congress can do that.
As of Tuesday, May 12, the average price of an unleaded gallon of gas in the United States is $4.50. That’s 50% higher than the average price of just under $3 a gallon before Trump began the war against Iran.
The average for Minnesota is $4.16 a gallon, it’s $4.14 in North Dakota and $4.21 in South Dakota.
On The White House lawn, President Trump was asked by a reporter to what extent should Americans’ financial situations motivate him to make a deal with Iran.
“Not even a little bit. The only thing that matters is when I’m talking about Iran is they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situations,” Trump said.
Trump: "I don't think about Americans' financial situation, I don't think about anyone." pic.twitter.com/OauSzthmjz
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) May 12, 2026
