Grimes: 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

“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.”

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.