Contact Congress about S. 173: Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025

Private, non-commercial aircraft would pay a higher federal fuel tax. The new money would support air quality monitoring, public transit, and passenger rail, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025 is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Latest action on S. 173: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and businesses that own or use private, non-commercial aircraft. They would pay more for aviation fuel. Communities near pollution sources and airports could benefit if Congress later funds air monitoring, transit, or rail projects. Some forestry and agricultural aviation operators could also lose a tax break if they use federally supported airports or aviation services.

Why this matters: This bill would shift more of the cost of clean air and transit projects onto private, non-commercial aviation users. It could make private aircraft more expensive to operate. It could also create a new funding source for air quality monitoring and transportation projects in communities with heavier pollution. The actual impact would depend on how much tax money comes in and whether Congress later approves spending from the fund.

Key provisions in S. 173

• Private, non-commercial aircraft would pay a higher fuel tax. The bill adds $1.641 per gallon on top of the current 35.9 cents per gallon tax, while commercial aviation fuel stays at 4.3 cents per gallon.
• The higher tax would apply in two places in federal tax law. It would cover retail aviation fuel sales and the manufacturer-level tax on kerosene, which is a common jet fuel.
• The new $1.641-per-gallon charge would rise with inflation after 2026. That means the added tax could increase each year without another vote by Congress.
• Some important non-commercial flights could get refunds of the added tax, but without interest. This could apply when there is a good reason the increase should not apply, such as scientific research, disaster evacuation, or medical emergencies. The refund option ends for fuel sold or used after January 1, 2028.
• Some forestry flights would keep an air transportation tax break only if they avoid federally supported aviation facilities or services. That rule would apply to helicopters and fixed-wing planes used for forestry work.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 173

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 173

What is S. 173?

Private, non-commercial aircraft would pay a higher federal fuel tax. The new money would support air quality monitoring, public transit, and passenger rail, especially in disadvantaged communities.

How do I support or oppose S. 173?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 173?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on S. 173?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.