SFAA and Coalition Send Letter to President Biden Strongly Opposing the Suspension of Federal and State Fuel Taxes

June 22, 2022

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. President:

The Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) coalition and the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) opposes any and all efforts to undermine recent and historic infrastructure investments, including suspending federal and state motor fuel user fees, commonly known as “gas taxes.”

American consumers are facing significant economic anxieties brought about by record inflation, continuing supply chain issues, high energy prices, labor shortages, and continued concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. These stiff economic headwinds demand your administration’s full attention and prompt action but suspending the gas tax would not have a meaningful impact on addressing these challenges.

Doing so, however, would very likely hurt efforts to improve the safety and condition of our roadways, bridges, and transit systems. It would also undermine efforts to create jobs and realize the once-in-a-generation investments in our nation’s infrastructure by the historic and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Gas tax revenues are fundamental to the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which helps fund these critical transportation programs. Support for a gas tax holiday risks undermining funding for these efforts, which is essential for our economy’s long-term, sustained growth. The decline in revenues to the HTF also jeopardize the certainty necessary for our state and local partners to plan long-term projects and the association hiring and equipment purchasing required.

Your administration must continue the march towards full implementation of IIJA policies and investments. This is necessary for America’s long term economic health and competitiveness. As you consider options for addressing global inflationary pressures, it is critical that we do not inadvertently undermine our mutual goal of rebuilding our infrastructure systems and networks to remain competitive in a 21st century global marketplace.

Sincerely,

American Coal Ash Association
American Concrete Pavement Association
American Concrete Pipe Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Institute of Steel Construction
American Iron and Steel Institute
American Public Transportation Association
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Subcontractors Association
American Traffic Safety Services Association
American Trucking Associations
Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association
Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated General Contractors of America
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
Institute of Makers of Explosives
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
International Slurry Surfacing Association
International Union of Operating Engineers
National Asphalt Pavement Association
National Association of Surety Bond Producers
National Electrical Contractors Association
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association
National Utility Contractors Association
Portland Cement Association
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
Surety & Fidelity Association of America
TRIP
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

 

CC:

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader of the House
The Honorable Charles Schumer, Senate Majority Leader
The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader