President Donald Trump promised to end the war in Iran quickly, but the ongoing conflict has left energy costs high — and some Senate Republicans are starting to make their concerns public.
GOP lawmakers, who already feared November would be an uphill battle, are trying to push the president to clearly define his end game after oil, gas and fertilizer prices surge. trump warned to The sticker shock may not fully subside until the elections in November, although Friday’s news that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen may provide some relief if the agreement holds.
Several GOP senators are warning that the president could face an escalating backlash, including not supporting military action against Iran after the conflict reaches 60 days at the end of the month, if he does not clarify his plan. The White House may try to impose a 30-day extension for national security reasons.
“I hope we’re reaching an exit strategy to shut this down to protect our security interests and keep the price of gasoline down,” Sen said. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters this week that the clock is ticking for war.
Sen Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said in an interview that he and a group of other senators are in the process of drafting an authorization for the use of military force against Iran, which would outline when and how Trump could use force. He pointed to a 60-day limit as a possible deadline for drafting the text, saying it would be “helpful” to have it completed by then.
Even senior Republicans are warning that if the administration wants Congress to greenlight tens of billions of dollars in additional war funding, Republicans will need to know more than ever about the president’s ultimate Iran strategy.
“I think our members will be very interested in what the next steps will be,” the Senate majority leader said. john thunePredicting that the administration’s upcoming Iran war spending request “will be a significant inflection point if the Administration submits its request.”
Thune, like most congressional Republicans, has been supportive of the administration’s Iran campaign, but said the impact on gas and fertilizer prices in his home state of South Dakota is “a big deal.”
“We’re in the planting season, so if you haven’t bought fertilizer ahead of time, you’re really feeling it, and obviously fuel production is an important part of agriculture,” Thune said this week, before the strait reopened.
Retired Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) predicted that his party would ultimately retain the majority in the Senate, but said that the Iran war and related increases in price gouging could become an obstacle when they already face “headwinds.”
“The president has to help us get out the vote,” Tillis said. “But Aadhaar alone won’t be able to do that. The way we’re going to get other people in is addressing the energy challenges, particularly price at the pump and some of the other affordability issues.”
Sen Kevin Cramer (RND) predicted in an interview before Friday’s announcement that prices would fall after the reopening of the strait and that it would matter most in September, when swing voters begin to prepare for the midterms.
“If we’re going to be going into September and even more so, October… with super high – you know, gas prices over $4 – I mean, that’s going to be a problem,” Cramer said.
There were early signs of celebration from Senate Republicans on Friday over the announcement that the fissure has reopened, even if perhaps only temporarily.
“I’m very pleased to hear that the Strait of Hormuz is open, at least for the remainder of the armistice,” the senator said. lindsey graham (R.S.C.) wrote on X.
Sen Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), also took a victory lap: “Will Dems comment about huge drop in oil prices?”. he asked.
Trump has suggested that he is eager to negotiate an agreement to end the conflict. And GOP lawmakers have so far largely defied Trump — including defeating efforts in both houses this week to limit the president’s ability to take additional military action without Congress.
But even with oil shipments through the strait now resuming, some Republicans generally say they would like to see the president focus more on affordability issues.
Sen said, “I want the President to spend 70 percent of his time talking about all the things we and he have done to bring down the cost of living and 30 percent of the time on other important things.” john kennedy (R-La.) said in an interview.
