Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has called for the Iran war to “end quickly” ahead of November’s midterms.
Rogers, who was formerly chair of the House Intelligence Committee, made the comments in a video released on Monday, 21st September.
KEKAHA, Hawaii — U.S. Army 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force fires the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which can fire traditional rocket artillery rounds or long-range missiles with various payloads, on Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 11. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’ s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’ s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Courtesy Photo)
HIMARS Test US Military Creative Commons Photo
Rogers joins a growing number of Republicans who have called for an end to hostilities in the Iran war.
Rogers’ Trip to the Grocery Store
On Monday, Rogers released a one-minute video on social media calling for an end to the war to lower the cost of living.
The price of everyday life,” Rogers said, adding that “groceries cost too much” in the clip filmed inside a grocery store. “We have to bring prices down. The war with Iran needs to end, and end quickly. When it does, energy costs will plummet, but Michigan families can’t afford to wait for that to happen.”
“We need to do something now,” Rogers continued, reiterating a previous call to end the state and federal gas taxes. He also called for a temporary embargo on diesel exports, adding: “When diesel costs more, it costs more to grow it, ship it, stock it, and ultimately buy it.”
He concluded: “So until this war is over, I’m calling for a temporary embargo on American diesel exports.
Keep more American diesel here at home, increase the supply available to our farmers, our truckers, and put downward pressure on diesel prices.
Because lowering the cost of moving and producing our food can help bring down the everyday costs families see right here at the grocery store.”
Revocation of Support
The video marks a departure from Rogers’ previous endorsement of the Iran war. Shortly after Operation Epic Fury began, Rogers said: “Iran has waged war against the United States for 47 years.
They’ve murdered thousands of Americans, cried out for ‘Death to America,’ sponsored terrorism around the globe, including funneling money to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and even tried to assassinate President Trump and cabinet officials.
Iran is an imminent threat to our country and must not have a nuclear weapon.”
This reversal was criticized by the Democrats.
In response to Rogers’ video, Democrat spokesperson Joey Hannum said: “Every time a Michigander fills up their gas tank, they’re paying the price for the Rogers-Trump war in Iran.
Price Hike Mike promised he would give Trump the authority to keep his cost-raising war going, and Michiganders won’t forget it.”
GOP Dissenters Growing
Rogers was the second Republican Senate candidate to express frustration over the seven-month war with Iran.
Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is standing for Iowa’s Senate seat, said: “Iowans are being squeezed and shouldn’t have to foot the bill at the pump or the checkout line for the war in Iran.
We need to use every option at our disposal to provide some relief from high prices.”
Like Rogers, Hinson called for a suspension of gas tax and diesel exports to “help our farmers and truckers being crushed by the high costs.”
GOP candidates have increased public concerns over the Iran war ahead of November’s midterms.
Earlier this month, seven GOP Reps. joined the Democrats to vote on an immediate end to military action in Iran.
Hinson was not one of them.
Battleground Considerations
In a little over six weeks, the country will go to the polls to elect new lawmakers for the House and around one-third of the Senate.
After two years of Republican control, the GOP faces backlash over rising living costs, largely stemming from the disruption of shipping due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Diesel prices continue to rise, reaching a record high of $6.27 a gallon on Tuesday.
The war remains unpopular with the majority of Americans – an uncomfortable reality for Republican candidates campaigning on reduced living costs, particularly those in battleground states.
On Tuesday, a Suffolk University poll found that 47% of likely voters preferred Democrat candidate Abdul El-Sayed, with only 40% supporting Rogers.
In Iowa, Democrat candidate Josh Turek leads Hinson by eight percentage points.
President Donald Trump has pledged to give every American adult $5,000 if the GOP retains control of Congress.
He has also conceded that it’s unlikely the conflict will be concluded by the midterms, accusing Iran of holding out until after the election for political purposes.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
