Texas gas averages $3.603 a gallon today, up 85.6 cents from last year amid the Iran War's oil disruptions. Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico proposed suspending the 18.4-cent federal gas tax until prices fall below $3.06 nationally. Incumbent John Cornyn called it a short-sighted plan that explodes the deficit, prompting Talarico to fire back that Cornyn's 40 years in office have delivered no relief on gas, housing or groceries.
Talarico's Tax Cut Targets Driver Pain Points
James Talarico, fresh off his March 3 Democratic primary win, laid out his gas tax suspension plan to ease the burden on Texas families. The federal levy stands at 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents on diesel. Talarico wants it paused until the national average dips under $3.06, the approximate pre-war level. Drivers would save roughly 19 cents a gallon immediately, according to details in his pitch.
Texas pumps reflect the war's toll. The statewide average hit $3.603 as of April 23, per AAA data, while the national figure climbs to $4.031. That's a sharp rise since the 2026 Iran War erupted in late February, when Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes choked and oil prices jumped over 55%, as CNBC reported. Commuters in Houston and Dallas suburbs feel it most, with fill-ups costing $60 or more for midsize SUVs.
| Date | Texas Avg ($/gal) | National Avg ($/gal) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 23, 2026 | 3.603 | 4.031 | +0.856 |
| Pre-War (Feb 2026) | ~2.75 | ~3.06 | - |
Talarico frames this as direct relief. His campaign videos show pump prices alongside family budgets strained by war-driven inflation. The proposal sidesteps state-level taxes, focusing federal action where Congress holds the lever.
Cornyn Rejects It as Fiscal Recklessness
Sen. John Cornyn dismissed Talarico's idea outright. He labeled it a "short-sighted solution" that "is not really a solution" and would "make things worse" by ballooning the deficit, according to Fox7 Austin coverage. Cornyn, seeking a fifth term, argues tax holidays drain highway trust funds without addressing root causes like Middle East conflict.
The senator's critique echoes GOP fiscal hawks. Suspending the tax could cost $10 billion monthly in lost revenue, they warn, based on pre-war consumption figures. Cornyn points to past gas tax holidays under Presidents Bush and Biden, which critics said spurred demand and prolonged shortages. His stance aligns with efforts to shield infrastructure spending from war volatility.
Yet Cornyn navigates his own primary fight. He faces Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 runoff after a fractured March 3 Republican primary, per Ballotpedia. Paxton attacks from the right on border and culture issues, forcing Cornyn to balance deficit concerns with voter anger over $3.60 gas.
