(KIWA Staff Photo)Iowa (RI) — Both major-party candidates for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat are calling for steps to ease the price of gasoline and diesel.
Democrat Josh Turek says the federal gas tax should be temporarily suspended and exports of U.S.-produced diesel should be halted.
On Sunday, Senator Chuck Grassley suggested an embargo on diesel exports, saying diesel prices are killing farmers’ income. Turek rolled out his proposals last Wednesday, when diesel prices topped $6 a gallon in Iowa. AAA reports diesel is now averaging just over $6.31 a gallon at Iowa stations.
Monday morning, Ashley Hinson — the Republican running for the U.S. Senate — posted a statement on social media saying Iowans are being squeezed and shouldn’t have to pay higher costs at the pump or checkout line because of the war in Iran. She’s calling for suspending the gas tax, pausing diesel exports, and creating a diesel relief program for farmers and truckers.
During a campaign stop in Des Moines Monday morning, Turek told reporters the federal government should provide whatever relief it can.
Turek has also called for tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to boost fuel production and lower consumer prices. Hinson says the $1-per-gallon biodiesel production tax credit, which expired in 2024, should be reinstated.
