President Donald Trump promised a quick end to the war in Iran, but the ongoing conflict has kept energy costs high — and some Senate Republicans are starting to make their concerns public.
GOP lawmakers already dreaded Novemberit will be a tougher battlethey are trying to convince the president to clarify his end after the increase in the price of oil, gas and fertilizers. Trumphe warnedsticker shock may not fully subside by the time the November election rolls around, although news Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened could begin to bring relief if the deal goes ahead.
Several GOP senators warn the president could face mounting pressure, including not backing military action against Iran after the conflict reaches the 60-day mark at the end of the month, if he does not clarify his plan. The White House may try to request a 30-day extension for national security reasons.
“I hope that we get to a strategy to get out of here to bring this to a close to preserve our security interests and lower the cost of gasoline,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters this week, adding that “the clock is ticking” on the war.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said in an interview that she and a group of other senators are in the process of preparing an authorization for the use of military force against Iran, which will specify when and how Trump can use force. He pointed to the 60-day threshold as a possible deadline for writing the text, saying it “would be important” to have it done by then.
Even top Republicans warn that if the administration wants Congress to clear tens of billions in additional war funding, Republicans will need to know more about the president’s final Iran strategy first.
“I think our members are going to be very interested in the next steps,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, predicting that the administration’s next spending spree on the Iran war will “be an important turning point if and when the administration makes their request.”
Thune, like many Republicans, has been supportive of the Iranian regime’s campaign but said the impact on gas and fertilizer prices is “huge” in his home state of South Dakota.
“We are in the planting season so if you didn’t buy fertilizer early, you feel it, and it’s clear that oil is a very important part of production, agriculture,” Thune said this week, before the reopening of the Strait.
Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (RN.C.) predicted his party would eventually retain a majority in the Senate, but said the Iran war and related price increases could be a destabilizing factor when they are already facing “demons.”
“The president should help us get votes,” Tillis said. “But the foundation alone won’t do it. The way we’re going to get another is to address the energy challenges, especially the price at the pump and some of the affordability issues.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer (RN.D.), in an interview before Friday’s announcement, predicted that prices would drop after the channel reopened and that it would be most important in September, when swing voters begin gearing up for the midterms.
“If we go into September and, even more, October … and very high – you know gas prices over $4 – I mean it’s going to be a problem,” Cramer said.
There were early signs of celebration from Senate Republicans on Friday over the announcement that the stream had been reopened, even if only temporarily.
“Very pleased to hear the Strait of Hormuz is open, at least for the remainder of the ceasefire,” Senator Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) wrote on X.
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio),he also took the victory lap: “Will Dems comment on falling oil prices?” he asked.
TrumpHe has suggested that he is interested in negotiatingconflict resolution plan. And GOP lawmakers have largely rejected Trump so far — including failing attempts in both chambers this week to limit the president’s ability to carry out additional military action without Congress.
But even with oil shipments through the channel now restarting, some Republicans say in general, they want to see the president focus more on affordability issues.
“I would like to see the president spend 70 percent of his time talking about all the things he and I have done to lower the cost of living and 30 percent of his time on other important things,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said in an interview.
