¶ Valadao Supported Trump’s Costly War In Iran
¶ Valadao Praised Trump’s “Decisive Action” And Diminished Price Increases From The War In Iran
2/28/26: Valadao Commended Trump For Taking “Decisive Action” Against Iran. According to Rep. David Valadao’s Twitter, “With the confirmed death of Ayatollah Khamenei, now is the time for the Iranian people to fight for their freedom. I commend President Trump for taking decisive action and pray for our brave men and women throughout the region working to keep us all safe.”
[Twitter, @RepDavidValadao, 2/28/26]
3/10/26: Rep. Valadao: “To Pretend That Iran Is The First Reason Why Fuel Prices Are Going Up Is False.” According to KERO, "As many are feeling a pinch at the pump with gas prices on a recent rise, as oil prices skyrocketed amidst the conflict in Iran. One local farmer and politician say the issues plaguing farmers in California date back long before the first bomb was dropped. ‘To pretend that Iran is the first reason why fuel prices are going up is false,’ said Rep. David Valadao. Valadao said in a phone call with 23ABC on Tuesday that while the conflict overseas could be creating some issues for farmers, the issues stemming from high oil costs are homegrown." [KERO, 3/10/26]
¶ Valadao Repeatedly Voted Against Ending The United States’ Hostilities In Iran
¶ July 2026: Valadao Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran
7/23/26: Valadao Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In July 2026, Valadao voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to discharge the Foreign Relations Committee from further consideration of the joint resolution that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces hostilities against Iran not authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for military force.” The vote was on adoption of the resolution. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 214 to 208. [House Vote 282, 7/23/26; Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.89]
- The Senate Voted Against Ending The War In Iran On The Same Day. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The House and Senate, in votes Thursday on ending the Iran war, came to different conclusions, but the majority of voting members of Congress said it is time to bring U.S. troops home. The House, for the second time, formally called on President Donald Trump to end the war, approving 214-208 a nonbinding concurrent resolution (H Con Res 89) by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26]
- The Vote Came After The Trump Administration Declared A Memorandum Of Understanding From The Previous Month “Over”, With Three US Troops Killed The Weekend Before And Houthi Strikes Against Two Saudi Tankers The Day Before. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Last month, the Trump administration announced it had reached a memorandum of understanding with Iran. But less than a month later, Trump declared the MOU ‘over.’ On July 10, he formally notified Congress fighting in the war had resumed. Over the weekend, three U.S. troops were killed in an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan, while a fourth U.S. service member in Iraq died during what was supposed to be a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone. Iran’s proxy group in Yemen, the Houthis, struck two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday. Such attacks could choke off another bottleneck in the global economy in addition to the ongoing throttling of trade in the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the war.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26]
¶ June 2026: Valadao Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War
6/3/26: Valadao Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Valadao voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “adoption of a resolution that would direct the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 215 to 208. [House Vote 199, 6/3/26; Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 86]
- The Vote Occurred As The War Entered Its Fourth Month, And Was The House’s Fourth Vote On The War As Gas And Food Prices Continued To Rise. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Either way, supporters say the House adopting the resolution sends an important message to Trump that Congress is fed up with the war as it lumbers into its fourth month. ‘We're now past 90 days, there seems to be no end to this war, and folks want some accountability, Democrats and Republicans,’ New York Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the sponsor of Wednesday’s resolution, said ahead of the vote. ‘The American people are suffering. The cost of gas continues to go up, the cost of food and inflation keeps going up.’ ‘So it's been building and building,’ Meeks added. Wednesday’s vote was the House’s fourth on an Iran war powers resolution since the war started at the end of February, with each vote getting tighter than before. In the third vote last month, the measure was rejected 212-212.” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
- GOP Leadership Delayed The Vote Through A Week-Long Recess When It Became Clear It Would Pass. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The House had originally been slated to vote on Meeks’ resolution before the Memorial Day recess. But when it became apparent the resolution was likely to be approved, particularly with a handful of Republican absences, GOP leadership yanked the vote from the schedule. Republicans could not delay the vote beyond Wednesday since the 1973 War Powers Resolution (PL 93-148) requires the House to vote within three legislative days of a measure being called up on the floor.” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
- The Vote Came Amidst Ongoing Strikes Despite A Proclaimed Ceasefire With Iran Claiming It Was Suspending Talks Following An Israeli Incursion Of Lebanon. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The growing congressional angst over the war comes as an already fragile ceasefire appears increasingly tenuous and the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran stumble. Early Wednesday morning, Iran launched a missile and drone attack at an airport in Kuwait, killing an Indian national and injuring dozens of other people, in what Tehran described as a response to U.S. strikes on Iran the night before. U.S. Central Command said Iran also targeted U.S. forces in Kuwait but that air defenses shot down the drones and ‘ensured no American personnel or assets were harmed.’ On Tuesday evening, Central Command said it conducted ‘self-defense strike’ on Iran’s Qeshm Island in response to Iran firing missiles and drones toward Kuwait and Bahrain. Hours earlier, Central Command also said U.S. forces fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of a Botswana-flagged oil tanker that it alleged was trying to evade the U.S. blockade against Iranian ports. The exchange of fire comes amid on-again-off-again talks to end the war. On Monday, Iran said it was suspending talks with the United States in response to Israel’s incursion into Lebanon. But Trump maintained that talks are continuing despite Iran’s statement, posting on Truth Social on Tuesday that ‘the conversations between us have been going on continuously.’” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
¶ May 2026: Valadao Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War
5/14/26: Valadao Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Valadao voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. It would clarify that nothing in the measure could be construed to disrupt intelligence, counterintelligence or investigative activities.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the resolution by a vote of 212 to 212. [House Vote 170, 5/14/26; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 75]
¶ April 2026: Valadao Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress
4/16/26: Valadao Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress. In April 2026, Valadao voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. The measure would exempt the use of U.S. armed forces that may be necessary to defend the U.S. or a U.S. ally or partner from imminent attack.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the resolution by a vote of 213 to 214. [House Vote 114, 4/16/26; Congressional Quarterly, 4/16/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.40]
¶ March 2026: Valadao Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran
3/5/26: Valadao Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Valadao voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the concurrent resolution by a vote of 212 to 219. [House Vote 85, 3/5/26; Congressional Quarterly, 3/5/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.38]
¶ The War In Iran Raised Gas Prices In California
July 2026: California Gas Prices Continued Rising Due To The Iran War. According to Sacramento Bee, "California gas prices are on the rise — again. Renewed tensions between the United States and Iran are fueling concerns about global oil supplies, pushing gas prices up across much of the country, according to fuel experts. California’s average price for a gallon of regular gas has increased by 10 cents over the past week, according to AAA and GasBuddy. Instability in the Middle East — including ongoing concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — has helped drive crude oil prices toward $90 a barrel. AAA said this ‘could continue driving up costs during the second half of summer.’" [Sacramento Bee, 7/28/26]
- HEADLINE: “As Gas Prices Spike, California Is Hit Hardest” [New York Times, 3/25/26]
- HEADLINE: “California Gas Prices Are The Highest In The U.S., But There's No Proof Of Price Gouging. Here's Why.” [CBS News, 4/2/26]
7/28/26: Researchers At The Watson School Of International And Public Affairs Estimate That The War Cost Each Household In California An Additional $273.92 To Date In Energy Costs.
[Watson School Of International And Public Affairs Climate Solutions Lab, Iran War Energy Costs Tracker, viewed 7/28/26]
¶ The War In Iran Hurt California Farmers
Farmers Were Hit By Prices Due To The War In Iran, On Top Of Already Challenging Farm Fundamentals. According to Cal Matters, "Farmers are accustomed to financial struggles. Volatile prices for crops and the rising costs of inputs like fertilizer have produced a steady decline in the number of independent and family farms, many of which have combined into larger farms or been sold to corporate owners, private equity or hedge funds. While the total number of farms in California decreased by about 20% from 2002 to 2022, the size of the average farm increased by more than 5% during that time, according to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture. The Trump administration’s unpredictable tariff scheme and the ongoing war in Iran — especially the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz — have only sowed more uncertainty. ‘It’s been a difficult 16 months,’ said Cameron, the Fresno County farmer, who noted that surging fuel prices have hit the industry at a particularly difficult time. ‘We use a tremendous amount of diesel for harvest, and it just puts another stress on us.’" [Cal Matters, 7/31/26]
Fertilizer Prices Increased By A Third Or More, Causing Market Shocks And Hurting California Farmers. According to Los Angeles Times, "Already there are reports that some fertilizers are up by a third or more in price. The rise is taking place in California and across the U.S. even though the country produces the majority of its nitrogen-based fertilizers, which are critical to improving crop yields. The fertilizers are typically applied by U.S. farmers either as liquid nitrogen, liquid ammonia or as pellets of urea, which is the most common nitrogen-based fertilizer in the world, said Veronica Nigh, chief economist at the Fertilizer Institute. While the vast majority of liquid nitrogen and ammonia is domestically produced, the U.S. imports about half of its urea, making it susceptible to the Middle East supply shock. All nitrogen fertilizers are derived from ammonia, which is made using natural gas — with half of all exportable urea supplies coming from the oil-and-gas rich Mideast, where it has to pass through the disputed Strait of Hormuz, she said." [Los Angeles Times, 3/29/26]
- The American Farm Bureau Federation Begged Trump To Escort Fertilizer Shipments Out Of The Middle East In Fear Of A Major Food Supply Chain Disruption. According to Cal Matters, "The American Farm Bureau Federation, the country’s primary advocate for farmers and ranchers, wrote a letter begging Trump to send the U.S. Navy to escort crucial fertilizer shipments out of the Middle East. ‘We are deeply concerned that failure to act could lead to disruptions to the food supply chain not seen since 2022 when food price inflation reached 40-year highs,’ wrote Zippy Duvall, the group’s president." [Cal Matters, 7/31/26]
¶ The War In Iran Hurt Small Businesses In California
Small Businesses In California Expressed Difficulties Due To The Iran War On Top Of Uncertainty Already In The Economy. According to Cal Matters, "Small businesses already navigating the costs and chaos of tariffs must now also contend with the effects of the war in Iran. ‘It just feels like things keep getting piled on top,’ said Nichole MacDonald, owner of a San Diego business that sells women’s bags. ‘Not just for businesses, but for consumers. And what is a business without consumers?’ Since her customers are feeling financial pain just like her, they’re spending less money on discretionary items, she said. If they are still buying, they’re choosing denim bags over leather because they’re cheaper. ‘Each level of pressure, economic uncertainty and tightening of the purse strings impacts people’s decisions on spending,’ the Sash Bag owner said. Other small retailers in the area tell similar stories of increased costs and having to adjust to continued tariff uncertainty in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that invalidated the bulk of President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs. In some cases, such as if they imported their own goods, they might be able to apply for tariff refunds, though the timeline for receiving refunds is unclear." [Cal Matters, 4/29/26]
High Prices From The War Have Lowered Consumer Confidence And Created Speculation On Small Business Closures. According to Cal Matters, "Small businesses already navigating the costs and chaos of tariffs must now also contend with the effects of the war in Iran. […] Meanwhile, everyone has been hit with higher shipping costs because fuel prices have gone up. The average price for regular unleaded gas in the state is $5.55, up from $4.79 a year ago, according to AAA. The national average is $4.11 vs. $3.15 a year ago. The spikes in gas prices caused inflation to rise in March. Consumer confidence is at a record low. Higher prices hit small businesses — defined as those with fewer than 500 employees — harder than big ones, and some wonder how long they can survive. That’s bad news for the state, whose small businesses create millions of new jobs a year and lately have been responsible for 99% of net new jobs, according to the California Office of the Small Business Advocate." [Cal Matters, 4/29/26]
The California Office Of The Small Business Advocate Stated Small Businesses Have Been Responsible For 99% Of Recent Net New Jobs. According to Cal Matters, "That’s bad news for the state, whose small businesses create millions of new jobs a year and lately have been responsible for 99% of net new jobs, according to the California Office of the Small Business Advocate." [Cal Matters, 4/29/26]