Arizona Sen. Gallego calls on Trump to sign executive action on surging gas prices

PHOENIX — Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego urged the Trump administration Tuesday to take quick action to lower gas prices.

Fuel costs rocketed to an average $4.63 a gallon in Arizona, up from $3.29 before the U.S. war in Iran began.

“Every day someone has to calculate whether they’re going to have enough to either make it to work, pick up their kids from childcare or have to sacrifice it somewhere else,” said Gallego.

Gallego pushes White House for fast relief on gas prices

Speaking at a Phoenix gas station, Gallego called for two measures that he said require no new legislation but would have near immediate impact for Arizona consumers.

First, he called for an IRS increase to the standard mileage reimbursement rate, which is currently 72.5 cents per mile. This would help small-business owners, rideshare drivers and delivery workers absorb higher fuel costs.

“All the IRS has to do is issue an opinion and it goes up. You don’t even have to pass a law,” Gallego said.

He noted he secured a similar IRS adjustment under the Biden administration in 2022.

Second, he called for the Environmental Protection Agency to waive Arizona’s summer fuel blend requirement in Maricopa County. Gallego estimated that this simple step could save Phoenix metro drivers 40 to 50 cents per gallon within a week of approval.

He said he supports a federal gas tax holiday but cautioned it would require congressional action and take longer.

Arizona’s average gas price topped $4 per gallon this week for the first time since 2022, according to AAA.

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