Senator Tom Carper wants to increase the federal gas tax by 3-to-4 cents a year for up to four years indexing it to inflation.
The Delaware Democrat says that would bring it back to the buying power of the 18.6 cents of 1993.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that he says the increase would make sure that the nation’s bridges would be in good shape.
Carper not only chairs the Senate Transportation Committee but is also a member of the finance committee.
He says he plans on meeting with members of the finance committee when congress returns from recess to talk about increasing the revenue for the Highway Transportation Trust Fund.