The presidents of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donohue, and the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka, both addressed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that they are in favor of raising the U.S. gas tax. The U.S.?s largest labor organization believes that the increase in investments in the country?s infrastructure, due to the increased revenue from the higher tax, will increase America?s competitiveness and ultimately lead to greater employment. Through growth in the economy via infrastructure works, first employment in construction, but then more broadly. The current committee proposal increases both the tax on gasoline and on diesel by $0.15 over three years. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association testified to the committee that hiring had slumped in recent years because of uncertainty about federal funding for future transportation projects.
See "U.S. business, labor leaders urge congress to raise gas tax", Eric Beech, Reuters, February 12, 2014