The gasoline price surge is reigniting political chatter about suspending the federal tax on the fuel to help consumers, thanks to a recent round of populist proposals from high-profile Democrats.

Why it matters: It's one of those go-to ideas that never actually happens, but often surfaces when prices climb.

Congress would have to approve a suspension of the gas tax, and so far, it never has.

But political winds could shift in these not-normal times, with no end in sight to the throttling of global oil shipments.

The big picture: Pump costs are spiking anew this week, with the U.S.…