Rep. Chris Pappas files bill to pause federal gasoline tax in House

U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas has introduced a new bill in the U.S. House to temporarily suspend the federal gasoline tax and require that resulting savings go to consumers, according to the U.S. Congress.

Identified as H.R.7919, the bill was submitted on March 12, 2026, during the 119th Congress’ 2026 regular session. The following summary is based on the official bill text and aims to clarify its key elements.

Essentially, this proposal amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a gasoline tax holiday, which would take effect once enacted and last through October 1, 2026. During that time, the federal excise tax on gasoline would be set at zero, with the related Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund fee also eliminated. To account for the lost revenue and support transportation infrastructure, the Secretary of the Treasury would move funds from the general fund to both the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund as compensation. The legislation also requires fuel savings to be passed directly to consumers, establishing penalties for fuel producers and dealers who do not lower prices accordingly. Enforcement of these requirements would fall to the Secretary.

Pappas (Democrat, NH-1st District) is the sole sponsor of this bill.

Rep. Pappas has put forward a total of 39 bills during this session of Congress.

The Senate also saw the introduction of a companion bill, S.4032, on March 9, 2026. Official records indicate that it is identical to H.R.7919.

Congressional bills can begin in either the House or the Senate, other than revenue-related legislation, which must originate in the House. Once introduced, bills are sent to committees for evaluation, hearings, possible amendments, and debate before a full chamber vote. To become law, both chambers must pass matching versions before forwarding the legislation to the president, who may sign or veto it. Each term of Congress lasts two years, divided into two annual sessions, and all legislative activity and records are documented by the U.S. Congress at Congress.gov.

Chris Pappas represents New Hampshire and was born in Manchester on June 4, 1980. A 2002 Harvard graduate, he previously served as a New Hampshire State House member from 2003 to 2007, Hillsborough County treasurer from 2007 to 2011, and a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council between 2013 and 2019 before joining the U.S. Congress in 2019.

Data for this article were sourced from the U.S. Congress. The original source is available here.