Next Congressional battle: renewing the federal gas tax

If the U.S. economy wasn't in shambles, renewing the federal excise tax on gasoline would be routine. But, as Congress intensely debated the national debt recently, the gas tax got moved to the back burner. This is a potential problem. With most of the 18.4-cent per gallon gasoline tax set to expire at the end of September, renewing it could spark political uproar and further divide Congress.
According to Politico, the level of "partisan vitriol and anti-spending sentiment" has hit an all-time high. This, is some sort of twisted political way, means that the gas tax – the primary source of the nation's road funds – could fall victim to budget cuts. Doug Heye, former spokesman for the Republican National Committee, told Politico:

The White House is going to make a move to renew it. We'll see – but there will be Republicans who will be resistant to that.

Heye says gas prices are "really affecting families" and that Republicans may vote against renewing any tax that furthers the pain felt at the pump. One thing is certain, with the gas tax set to expire in less than two months, Congress had better get crackin', or else minor procedural delays could cause the tax to lapse. Infrastructure is already ailing in the U.S., and we don't need political shenanigans to make it worse.