The Iran conflict has driven up oil prices, pushing up US energy costs and keeping inflation high. With many Republican lawmakers facing tight races in the November midterm elections, they have seen rising oil and fertilizer prices take a toll on their core voter base. Consequently, these lawmakers have publicly called on Trump to clarify his ultimate objectives as soon as possible. They warn that Trump will face growing political backlash, and if the conflict has not subsided by the end of this month, they may withdraw their support for the military operation against Iran.
Missouri Republican Senator Joshua David Hawley said he hopes the conflict with Iran is entering its final stages: "I hope that we are arriving at an exit strategy here to bring this to a close to preserve our security interests and bring down the cost of gasoline." Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Ann Murkowski indicated that she and several other senators are drafting a resolution authorizing military operation against Iran, which would seek to limit President Trump's authority to launch military operations.
Many senior Republicans have also cautioned that if Trump hopes to secure congressional approval for a military budget running into the tens of billions of dollars, he must clearly explain his ultimate strategy to Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Randolph Thune has consistently supported military operations against Iran, but he has made it clear that rising prices for gasoline and fertilizer are having a significant impact on his home state of South Dakota. Thune stated, "Will be an important inflection point if and when the administration submits their request."
North Carolina Republican Senator Thomas Roland Tillis, who is not seeking re-election, also said that the rising prices caused by the conflict with Iran could hurt Trump and the Republicans' already difficult election prospects. He stated bluntly that the president must help boost voter turnout; relying solely on the party’s core base is not enough. For lawmakers to win over other voters, they must address energy issues—particularly oil prices—as well as other cost-of-living concerns.
More than half of Americans strongly disapprove of Trump's presidency
A new poll released by NBC on April 20 shows that Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37%, a new low since the start of his second term. 63 % of the public disapprove of his job performance, with 50% strongly disapproving. Regarding the conflict with Iran, among the more than 32,000 voters surveyed, as many as two-thirds disapprove of Trump's handling of the situation, and 61% of respondents oppose the conflict with Iran. The poll also shows that two-thirds of respondents believe the U.S. is on the wrong path, highlighting the pressure Republicans face in the midterm elections.
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