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. A barrel of oil passed the $100 mark for the first time in four years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Others – like Rep. Mark Alford of Missouri – said Republicans need to convince voters to stomach the pain. But Republicans had an excruciatingly difficult time wrangling the votes to pass Trump’s massive bill last summer. And with an even slimmer House majority now, leaders will need near unanimity in their conference to get anything out of the House.

Source: CNN March 11, 2026 20:31 UTC