Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC News\u2019 \u201cMeet the Press\u201d on Sunday that the Trump administration is \u201copen to all ideas\u201d to lower the cost of gas, including suspending the federal gas tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gas prices have been soaring, hitting a national average of $4.52 per gallon on Sunday, according to data from motor club AAA \u2014 an increase of more than 50% since the start of the Iran war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked by moderator Kristen Welker whether he would support suspending the federal gas tax, Wright said that \u201call measures that can be taken to lower the price at the pump and lower the prices for Americans, this administration is in support of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked to clarify whether President Donald Trump is open to suspending the federal gas tax, which stands at about 18 cents a gallon, Wright said, \u201cWe\u2019re open to all ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEverything has trade-offs,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Democrats in Congress introduced a bill in March to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax until October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wright declined to speculate when asked whether average gas prices, which remain a potent political issue during a midterm election year, could reach $5 per gallon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t predict the price of energy in the short term or even the medium term, but what we\u2019re doing is ending a 47-year conflict Iran has fought,\u201d he said. \u201cDeath to the United States for 47 years, death to Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pressed again on the possibility of gas prices hitting the $5 milestone, Wright said he was \u201cjust avoiding price predictions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut I will say, the United States is in a tremendous position,\u201d he added, pointing to U.S. production of oil and natural gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wright previously told \u201cMeet the Press\u201d in March that there was a \u201cvery good chance\u201d gas prices could drop below $3 per gallon by the summer. At the time, Wright predicted that \u201cAmericans will feel it for a few more weeks.\u201d Eight weeks later, gas prices have continued to climb and shown no immediate sign of returning to prewar prices amid Iran\u2019s continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts say that while the United States\u2019 own blockade of Iranian ports would ultimately deprive Iran of necessary oil revenue, the country could likely withstand that pressure for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week, Trump launched an operation aimed at guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz to break Iran\u2019s hold on the crucial waterway, but he ultimately paused it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a separate interview on CBS News\u2019 \u201cFace the Nation,\u201d Wright was asked whether the U.S. would resume \u201cProject Freedom\u201d anytime soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s clear in the next few days that there\u2019s not a good path to a negotiated settlement, we\u2019ll go back to the military method to open the strait,\u201d he said. \u201cThe economic pressure on Iran right now is increasing dramatically.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n