Davids renews call for suspension of federal gas tax; Adkins rejects idea as ‘gimmick’

TOPEKA — Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and Republican congressional candidate Amanda Adkins disagree about proposals before Congress to temporarily suspend the federal tax on gasoline for the remainder of the year due to surges in fuel prices at the pump.

Davids, the 3rd District representative seeking re-election, said the 18-cent-per-gallon tax should be suspended through legislation that would shield the highway trust fund from a decline in revenue. The proposal emerged as consumers dealt with sticker shock worsened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Here at home, folks are already feeling the effects of this uncertainty, mainly in the form of rising prices at the gas pump,” Davids said. “This comes as hard-working Kansans are also dealing with increased prices on groceries and medicine, further squeezing what was already a tight budget for many families.”

Adkins, who is seeking the GOP nomination in the 3rd District after losing to Davids in 2020, denounced the idea with posts to social media.

She said suspension of the U.S. tax on gas wouldn’t “do nearly enough to help” families wrestling with higher costs of goods and services. She also criticized Democratic President Joe Biden’s energy policies.

“This ‘plan’ from Davids is a gimmick that won’t even make a dent in the extra $4,000 families in KS03 are paying due to inflation,” Adkins said. “As inflation continues surging, it breaks my heart knowing that behind every statistic is a Kansas family going without and struggling to make ends meet.”

On Monday, Davids’ campaign launched a drive-time advertisement on Kansas City metropolitan area radio stations to target motorists in Johnson, Wyandotte and Miami counties. The commercial points to the gasoline tax policy gap between Davids and Adkins.

“On energy prices, as with so many other concerns facing Kansas families, we’re making it clear: One candidate is looking out for Kansans and one is looking out for herself,” said Ellie Turner, spokesperson for Davids.