Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) warned that Americans should not expect immediate relief from elevated prices even if tensions with Iran ease in the coming days, arguing that the economic fallout from instability in the Strait of Hormuz will linger.
Appearing on CNNs The Lead, Flood linked persistent inflationary pressure to the ongoing conflict in and around Iran, a connection long emphasized by conservatives who argue that global instability and weak deterrence abroad inevitably hit American families at the pump and in the checkout line, according to Breitbart. He stressed that while he is encouraged by recent progress, this is not over, right away, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel, and Im hopeful that we can land the plane and finish this operation in Iran.
Flood did not mince words about the burden on households, stating, Well, prices are too high. The gas price is too high. Grocery prices are high. I dont like any of that, and I want to be straight up and acknowledge that. At the same time, he underscored that national security must not be sacrificed for short-term political gain, adding, I also dont want Iran to have a nuclear weapon. I dont want them to have a dirty bomb. I dont want it to get into our country on our soil or be used against our allies.
The Nebraska Republican pointed to earlier progress on energy costs, noting that we did see prices come down substantially last year. President Trump and we all celebrated the reduction in gas prices. He framed that period as the product of a broader conservative push for domestic production, saying, Weve been investing in energy independence. Weve been making the kinds of decisions that will, long-term, put us in a good position.
Flood argued that the current spike is inseparable from geopolitical turmoil, remarking, But you and I both know this is connected to the conflict in Iran, the Strait, and everything thats happening there. I want that solved as soon as possible. Yet he cautioned that even a diplomatic or military breakthrough will not deliver instant relief, explaining, And the other thing that comes with that, lets say it does get solved next week, its still going to take another month or two just to get all that traffic moving in that important corridor.
So, this is not over, right away, Flood reiterated, emphasizing that supply chains and shipping lanes cannot be restored overnight after weeks of disruption. Still, he insisted that a firm, security-first approach to Iran and a renewed commitment to American energy production offer a path forward, concluding that I do see light at the end of the tunnel, and Im hopeful that we can land the plane and finish this operation in Iran.
Login