House Republicans confront Iran war and gas prices as they struggle to push economic agenda

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Mar 11, 2026, 6:00 AM ET


DORAL, Florida - Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team have been struggling to find consensus behind an election-year agenda to address Americans’ chief concerns over affordability and their cost-of-living. But now they have a new problem: Rising gas prices. After hammering Democrats relentlessly over $5-per-gallon gasoline, a threshold that was crossed when Joe Biden was president, Republicans are confronting a similar dilemma in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to wage war against Iran.

Gas prices are threatening to spike indefinitely with the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint where roughly 20% of crude oil shipments pass through, virtually shut down as a result of the conflict. Republicans are left with this message: Just hope that the war ends soon and crude oil prices settle in time for November. “Temporary blip,” Johnson asserted. “Snapshot in time,” said Rep. Lisa McClain, the No. 4 House Republican. “Short-term volatility,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York.

Others – like Rep. Mark Alford of Missouri – said Republicans need to convince voters to stomach the pain. “I think it’s our job to help bring people along to them and explain what’s at stake,” Alford said. “I’m willing to pay 30% or 30 cents more at the pump to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon that’s going to hit the United States.”

It’s not what the GOP thought they’d be discussing weeks ago, as they hashed out their agenda for their three-day retreat here at Trump’s golf resort in Doral. But as Iran is now dominating their focus, they’re running short on time – and votes – to execute their agenda.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/11/politics/republicans-gas-prices-iran-war-trump

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“I’m willing to pay 30% or 30 cents more at the pump to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon that’s going to hit the United States.”

Um no. The GOP AND the collusive media, simply BLASTED Biden 24/7, laughing along as miscreants pasted "I did that!" stickers all over pumps nationwide.

Make them feel the heat.

[durablend]

1. NO

If the tables were turned they'd be screaming bloody murder and "30% or 30 cents more" would be way too much

[Lovie777]

2. The title alone for me at least is a freaking joke................

the gas lighting of the republican party is strong.

[gab13by13]

4. You said it much nicer than I am going to say it,

What fucking Magat economic agenda? They got what they wanted from the Big ugly Death Bill. How the fuck can Congressional Magats give the rich any more money?

[GreenWave]

3. Tell 'em as soon as Trump sends each of us $10,000 of the tariff money, we can fill up!

[gab13by13]

5. That tariff money is in a bank in Qatar,

that's where Krasnov put the Venezuelan oil money he stole.

[GreenWave]

6. Correctamundo, but the Magats need to have rising expectations, then see them shattered.

This pisses off the gullible. Already many are pissed that there is a war.

[Buddyzbuddy]

7. So, using their number of 30%, that increase would apply to all goods transported.

Which means that 30 cents looks like at least a $30,000 bite out of your $100,000 income, if your lucky enough to earn that.
That's what the Republican party wants you to accept because Netanyahu decided. And the strategy is to convince Americans, the threat of nuclear missiles to us was imminent.

Well, when you put it that way.

[SWBTATTReg]

8. Eh...they need to rein in their own wacky out-of-control, ridiculous spending....

Pete Hegseth's Defense Department blew $22M on steak and lobster in a single month, watchdog claims

[modrepub]

9. What A Crappy Article

I swear the M$M can replace their journalists with AI bots or dictation apps because there’s no follow up questions or analysis here.

First, didn’t we have an inspection program that prevented Iran from getting a nuclear device? And what did that cost per day versus what we have now? I’ll note one of the Republicans in this article said we’re at war, what do you expect?!?

Is anyone worried we’ve pissed off so many of our adversaries and allies someone is apt to just sell or give Iran a nuclear weapon at this point?

I’ll end my rant by saying this whole situation is a shinning example of how costly war is economically verses trying to get along and showing some basic respect for each other.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. "because there's no follow up questions or analysis here."

Per the LBN SOP - https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=about&forum=1014

Statement of Purpose

Post the latest news from reputable mainstream news websites and blogs. Important news of national interest only. No analysis or opinion pieces. No duplicates. News stories must have been published within the last 12 hours. Use the published title of the story as the title of the discussion thread. On or after election days, discussion threads announcing that a race has been called are only permitted if the source is the Associated Press.

Probably half of CNN's main website is full of "analysis" articles, but if I posted that in here, it would be locked so fast that my head would be spinning.

[City Lights]

10. What economic agenda?

The only agenda they have is robbing the poor to give to the rich and keeping those Epstein files forever hidden.