How Can President Trump and ‘Our Useless Congress’ Get Gas Prices Back Down?
There are 5 ways Congress and states can immediately lower gas prices by up to $1.10
By Katy Grimes, March 17, 2026 12:14 pm
“How can Trump and our useless Congress get gas prices back down?” asks economist Peter St. Onge.
He notes there’s a lot that President Trump has already done to get gas prices down including providing insurance and escorts to tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Gasoline prices have surged to a national average of around $3.79 per gallon as of mid-March 2026, with some regions seeing diesel climb toward $4.86 and isolated spots hitting over $6,” Energy News Beat says. “That’s a roughly 25% jump in just 17 days, driven largely by supply disruptions tied to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Gas prices just hit $3.70 — up 25% in 17 days.
There’s 5 ways Congress and states can immediately lower gas prices by up to $1.10.
This could make gas *cheaper* than before the war. pic.twitter.com/LzEQURqnO7
— Peter St Onge, Ph.D. (@profstonge) March 17, 2026
Here is AAA’s gas price averages today, with California’s average for a gallon of gas at $5.54 :
The highest gas price averages are in Mono County at $6.38 per gallon:
Diesel in California averages $6.492 per gallon.
This is California gas prices today compared to Florida gas prices:
St. Onge says there are 5 ways Congress and states can immediately lower gas prices by up to $1.10, and the single fastest way is waiving the 18 cent federal tax, and state taxes like California’s highest-in-the-nation fast taxes:
1. Tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) — Executive Action
2. Pause Federal and State Fuel Taxes — Needs Congress + State Legislatures: Federal gas tax: 18.4¢/gallon
Federal diesel tax: 24.4¢/gallon; Average state gas tax: 30–50+¢/gallon (varies widely)
3. Relax Summer Gasoline Rules & Ethanol Blending Waivers — EPA + Executive
4. Waive the Jones Act — National Defense/Emergency Authority
5. Restrict U.S. Oil Exports (Short-Term Emergency Measure)During a declared national emergency, the President can limit crude exports to keep more American oil at home. This keeps domestic supply higher and prices lower in the near term. It’s controversial long-term (it can discourage drilling), but as a bridge measure while new production comes online, it’s on the table.
This was January 2026:
This was February 2025:
A California native and Navy mom, Katy lives in Sacramento, CA.
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I was going to say how much we WISH this would happen, then realized it simply HAS to happen.
It MUST happen. We have no choice. We’ve hit the limit and every little bit that is hacked away from the price of a gallon of gas in the short term is a necessary help.
Dismantle CARB, CEC and all of the other bureaus that stifle economic expansion and financial efficiency in California… these are all UNELECTED departments intended to make life more difficult and expensive for California residents (notice I broadened it beyond CITIZENS)