President Biden on Wednesday formally unveiled a proposal for a three-month suspension of the 18-cents-per-gallon federal gas tax amid skyrocketing prices at the pump.
White House officials have argued the temporary move would provide relief to families during travel-heavy summer months.
"I call on the companies to pass this along — every penny of this 18 cent reduction — to the consumers. There's no time now for profiteering," Biden said in a public address on the plan.
The Biden administration is preparing to host industry executives at the White House this week to discuss the record-high gas prices.
But already the tax holiday has received a tepid response — even from Democratic allies in Congress.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that Democratic leaders will gauge the party's support for Biden's proposed gas tax holiday but stopped short of endorsing the idea.
The No. 2 Democrat in the House, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) agreed that it's not clear whether Democrats would have enough votes to pass the proposal in the lower chamber.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) similarly questioned whether the Senate would have the votes needed when reporters asked Wednesday after Biden's address.
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