Senate candidate Colom calls for suspending federal gas tax

Oct 08, 2026 | 8:03 am ET

By Taylor Vance

Senate candidate Colom calls for suspending federal gas tax

Photo courtesy of Mississippi Today

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Scott Colom, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, is calling for a temporary suspension of the federal 18.4-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax as fuel prices continue to climb.

“Mississippi families are watching their gas and grocery costs increase while their paychecks stay the same, all while healthcare becomes more expensive and inaccessible because of Cindy Hyde-Smith,” Colom said in a statement, referring to the Republican incumbent.

Any suspension of the federal gasoline tax would require an act of Congress, and a president cannot unilaterally suspend the federal tax.

Colom’s announcement comes after Gov. Tate Reeves on Tuesday said that Mississippi would not enforce prohibitions against using un-taxed diesel meant for farm equipment in highway transport trucks, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to try to lower the soaring cost of diesel.

Colom also aired a new ad on Wednesday as part of a seven-figure ad campaign, highlighting rising fuel and goods costs and advocating a raise to the federal minimum wage.