Rogers, El-Sayed Both Back Gas Tax Pause, Split On Cause Of Price Spike
(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/17/2026) Michigan’s two major U.S. Senate candidates agree state and federal gasoline taxes should be temporarily suspended with gasoline now $5 a gallon in spots, but they disagree sharply over what is driving prices higher and what else should be done.
Republican Mike Rogers called for suspending both taxes, which his campaign said would save Michigan drivers nearly 71 cents per gallon.
“Working families need leaders who will bring the costs of energy down, not ones who will make their lives less affordable,” Rogers said. “That’s why I’m calling for a suspension of both the state and federal gas tax.”
Michigan’s motor fuel tax is 52.4 cents per gallon, while the federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents. Rogers blamed Michigan Democrats for the state levy, which increased from 31 cents in 2025.
However, that increase was part of a road-funding change that also eliminated Michigan’s former 6% sales tax on gasoline. The sales tax fluctuated with the price of fuel, while the new per-gallon tax is dedicated to transportation.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed said he “of course” supports suspending the gas tax, but argued that tax relief alone would not address the underlying causes of the price increase.
El-Sayed called for ending the U.S. war with Iran and the Trump administration’s trade dispute with Canada.
“So your turn: Are you in favor of continuing this war in Iran?” El-Sayed asked Rogers. “How about the tariff war with Canada?”
El-Sayed’s campaign attacked Rogers for supporting the Iran conflict, which Rogers previously called a “win-win-win.” Rogers has argued the military action is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Crude oil prices have climbed amid concerns about disruptions to Middle Eastern supplies. Reuters reported that renewed U.S.-Iran fighting and threats to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have helped push oil and retail fuel prices higher.
Michigan’s average price for regular gasoline was about $4.76 per gallon today, according to AAA, although prices at some stations exceeded $5. Diesel prices also reached record levels.
“Abdul El-Sayed is running for Senate to bring down costs and is committed to using every tool in the toolbox to do so—including suspending the gas tax, but most importantly ending Donald Trump’s illegal war and trade war with Canada,” El-Sayed campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak said.
Neither campaign specified how long its proposed gas-tax suspension would last or how the lost state and federal transportation revenue would be replaced.
