Republican Rift Over Iran War Grows as Rogers, Hinson Call for Swift End
Republican Senate candidates Mike Rogers and Ashley Hinson are calling for an end to the Iran war, while seeking gas tax relief and a temporary halt to U.S. diesel exports.
Ashley Hinson said people in Iowa should not have to bear the economic cost of the Iran war. She called for suspending the gasoline tax, temporarily halting U.S. diesel exports and taking other steps to ease the pressure of rising fuel costs. She also called for the war to end immediately. Hinson had voted against proposals limiting Trump's war powers as recently as last week.
Mike Rogers also changes course
Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers of Michigan also called for an early end to the Iran war in a campaign advertisement. He said energy prices could fall once the war ends, but Michigan families cannot afford to wait. Rogers likewise called for suspending state and federal gasoline taxes and temporarily halting U.S. diesel exports.
Rising gas and diesel prices alter candidates' positions
Democratic candidates have questioned the two Republicans' positions. Rogers' opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, accused him of changing his stance after gas and diesel prices increased. Hinson's opponent, Josh Turek, said that when Hinson had an opportunity to vote to end the war, she did not support it.
Rogers and Hinson are not the only Republicans distancing themselves from Trump over the Iran war. Last week, Iowa Representatives Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks also voted with Democrats to limit Trump's war-related authority in Iran.
The positions of Rogers and Hinson mark a visible shift from their earlier support for Trump's authority over military action against Iran, as fuel-price concerns increasingly feature in their calls for the conflict to end.

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