Biden proposes tax increase on fuel for private jets, casting it as making wealthy pay their share

President Joe Biden is proposing a huge increase in fuel taxes for private jets, which his administration is pitching as a fairness issue compared with airline passengers, who pay special taxes on every ticket.

The proposal was included in a $109.3 billion budget request for the U.S. Department of Transportation, which was released Monday.

The fate of the proposal in Congress is unclear. Many of Biden’s budget ideas will founder in the Republican-controlled House. The largest business-aviation trade group came out against the targeted fuel-tax increase, saying private jets help companies succeed and create jobs.

The White House earmarked nearly $22 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, including funds to hire at least 2,000 new air traffic controllers, and replace aging FAA facilities, which FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said are 40 years old on average. Democrats and Republicans in Congress have supported more FAA hiring of air traffic controllers and safety inspectors.

The budget would also set aside $62 billion for roads and bridges and $3.2 billion for railroad infrastructure, inspections and the Amtrak passenger-rail system.

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