[CNSNEWS] Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) says his plan to nearly double the federal gas tax is needed because the tax hasn't been raised in years and a decrease in fuel tax revenues has occurred due to the improved fuel efficiency of vehicles.When discussing his proposal on Fox News Dec. 3, Blumenauer said, "First of all, we haven't raised the gas tax in 20 years.
"During that time, the amount that the average motorist pays per mile that they drive because of increased fuel efficiency and inflation has been cut in half," he continued.
Blumenauer introduced a House bill this week that would raise the federal gas tax from 18.4 cents per gallon to 33.4 per gallon. The measure also would raise the federal tax on diesel fuel from 24.4 cents to 42.8 cents per gallon.