¶ Overview
- Van Drew defended Trump's war with Iran, claiming the “world is safer" thanks to Trump's military action in the region. As the war dragged on and New Jerseyans were forced to pay increasingly higher gas prices, Van Drew claimed the economy was doing “quite well” and said Trump had to "get what we need” from Iran before pulling out of the region. That suggests New Jerseyans will continue paying the high gas prices that threaten to linger even beyond the war, higher grocery prices caused by disrupted supply chains and high fuel prices, all while Van Drew votes in lockstep with his Republican colleagues to ensure Trump's war with Iran continues unchecked.
¶ Van Drew Backed Trump’s Costly War With Iran That Raised Prices For New Jerseyans
¶ Van Drew Defended Trump’s War With Iran, Claiming The “World Is Safer” Due To Trump’s Actions
2/28/26: Van Drew Called Operation Epic Fury A “Decisive Response To Years Of Aggression” And Claimed The “World Is Safer” Due To Trump’s Actions. According to the New Jersey Monitor, “Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-02): ’For decades, the Iranian regime has funded terrorism, threatened our allies, and chanted ‘Death to America’ while destabilizing the Middle East,’ said Congressman Van Drew. ‘What we are witnessing now is a decisive response to years of aggression. The leadership of the world’s largest state sponsor of terror has been dealt a powerful blow. We killed one of the most evil men in the world, along with 40 of his cohorts. When America leads with strength, our enemies think twice, and the world is safer for it. Our men and women in uniform performed with extraordinary courage to get the job done. Every American should be grateful for their service tonight. God bless our troops. God bless our allies. And God bless the United States of America.’” [New Jersey Monitor, 2/28/26]
5/13/26: Van Drew Admitted The U.S. Was Suffering Due To The War In Iran But Claimed The Economy Was Doing “Quite Well” Despite It. According to Rep. Jeff Van Drew on The Guy Benson Show, “VAN DREW: And under the new administration, we’re exploring more, we’re doing more, we’re going to have more and we’re going to be much more competitive. If this hadn’t occurred in the Mideast, in Iran, we would be in great shape right now, energy wise, economy wise, everything. I mean, we were just think of this, and I’ll leaves this with you, the stock market doesn’t help everybody, I’m totally aware of that. But it helps some people with their 401k and things. But the stock market, with all that’s going on, with the inflation, with the war, with the challenges we have right now, is still doing quite well!” [Rep. Jeff Van Drew, Guy Benson Show, 5/13/26] (audio)
5/11/26: Van Drew Introduced Legislation To Suspend The Federal Gas Tax After Trump’s War In Iran Caused Gas Prices Across The Country To Skyrocket. According to the New Jersey Globe, “President Donald Trump said this morning that he wants to suspend the federal gas tax amid high gas prices stemming from the Iran War, and one of his most loyal New Jersey allies, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis), is proposing a new bill to do exactly that. Van Drew’s bill would eliminate current federal taxes on gasoline, which stand at 18.3 cents per gallon (higher for diesel and aviation fuel), for a period of 18 months. After that year-and-a-half span is over, the gas tax would ‘slowly phase back in,’ Van Drew said. ‘Americans are paying too much for gas right now, and the federal government can help relieve some of that pressure,’ Van Drew said in a statement. ‘My bill would completely suspend the federal fuel taxes for 18 months, so people are no longer paying those extra taxes per gallon every time they fill up their tank.’” [New Jersey Globe, 5/11/26]
- Suspending The Federal Gas Tax Would Cost The Country Several Billion Dollars A Month That Would Normally Fund Infrastructure Projects. According to the New Jersey Globe, “The conflict between the United States and Iran, which has been underway for more than two months without a clear end date, has caused gas prices around the country to soar, especially after Iran began blocking the Strait of Hormuz. A year ago, the average price of a gallon of gas in New Jersey was $2.98, per AAA’s fuel price tracker; it’s now $4.53, approaching the $5.06 high-point of the early Biden era. Those persistently high prices have caused officials within the Trump administration to mull a gas tax pause, and Trump confirmed this morning that it’s something he plans on pursuing: ‘We’re going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we’ll let it phase back in,’ he told CBS News. Doing so would require action from Congress and would cost the federal government several billion dollars a month, funds that would normally go towards road construction and repair projects.” [New Jersey Globe, 5/11/26]
7/23/26: Van Drew Claimed That Trump Had To Continue The Conflict In Iran Until The U.S. Gets “What We Need.” According to Rep. Jeff Van Drew on The Guy Benson Show, “VAN DREW: We're dealing with maniacs in Iran. And these are people, they want peace, no, they don't. They want peace, no, they don't. So the president is beating them up good. And hopefully it’s to the point that they know they're not going to even have any economic viability to move forward. We can't cut his leg from underneath him at this point. You can have a debate in the future of whether we should be there or should have been there or not. We are there. And now that we're there, America's got to make sure that we get what we need out of this and that in essence, we win and get the hell out.” [Rep. Jeff Van Drew, Guy Benson Show, 7/23/26] (audio)
¶ Van Drew Repeatedly Voted Against Ending The United States’ Action In Iran
¶ July 2026: Van Drew Voted Against Removing U.S. Armed Forces From Hostilities Against Iran Unless Explicitly Authorized By A Declaration Of War
2026: Van Drew Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In July 2026 Van Drew 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: Van Drew Voted Against Removing U.S. Armed Forces From Hostilities Against Iran Unless Explicitly Authorized By A Declaration Of War
2026: Van Drew Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Van Drew 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: Van Drew Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War
5/14/26: Van Drew Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Van Drew 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: Van Drew Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress
4/16/26: Van Drew Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress. In April 2026, Van Drew 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: Van Drew Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran
3/5/26: Van Drew Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Van Drew 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]
¶ Trump’s War With Iran Was Costly For New Jerseyans
¶ Regular And Diesel Gas Prices Were Higher For Consumers As A Result Of The War
HEADLINE: “Gas Prices Soar Above $4 A Gallon In NY, NJ After Iran War Re-Escalates” [PIX11, 7/20/26]
July 2026: The National Average Price For A Gallon Of Gas Was Reaching $4 Again After Trump Declared A Ceasefire Was Over. According to Arizona’s Family, "Gas prices continue to inch up after President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire agreement with Iran was ‘over.’ AAA reported the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was just shy of $4, at $3.98 a gallon. On Thursday, the average price of diesel was back up to about $5 a gallon. Oil and gas prices had been declining after the U.S. and Iran signed a peace plan to end the war in June." [Arizona’s Family, 7/17/26]
- The War In Iran Caused Fuel Inventories To Plunge To Historic Lows, Leading To A Major Surge In Gas Prices. According to the Washington Post, "Americans face a new round of punishing price increases for fuel and other products as oil and gas inventories plunge to historic lows around the world because of the war in Iran, energy executives and analysts warn. Fuel stocks are so low, experts said, that even an abrupt agreement between the United States and Iran and an immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies passed before the war — may not stop fuel prices from soaring anew by the July Fourth holiday." [Washington Post, 6/3/26]
8/7/26: Diesel Cost An Average Of $5.39 In New Jersey.
[AAA, New Jersey Fuel Prices, Viewed 8/7/26]
- HEADLINE: “Gas Prices Spiking In N.J. But Greater Pains Still To Come As Iran War Surges” [NJ.com, 3/23/26]
Consumers Were Facing Higher Costs Of Airfare Due To The Increased Price Of Fuel For Airlines. According to Arizona’s Family, "The week before the war started, the price of jet fuel was $2.50 a gallon. On Tuesday, April 28, the price is $4.26, according to Airlines for America. ‘I fly Southwest mostly. I was able to get a straight flight home and two from here. It was higher than normal, for sure,’ said Patrick Foy, who was flying from Phoenix to Louisiana. Major airliners have already raised checked baggage fees because of the rising fuel prices, while some of the smaller, budget airlines are asking the federal government for billions of dollars in assistance. ‘It’s obviously frustrating. It affects our family’s budget,’ Foy said. Gas experts have said even when the war in Iran ends, the full relief people see at the pump or when buying a plane ticket will most likely not be immediate." [Arizona’s Family, 4/28/26]
¶ Grocery Prices Were Higher For New Jerseyans Because Of The War With Iran
Tomatoes, Bananas, And Onions Experienced Major Price Hikes Since The Beginning Of The War. According to Fortune, "The U.S., Israel, and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, but the sticker shock you’ve been feeling every time you go to the grocery store will get worse if the war continues. One of the first places you’ll feel it will be the produce aisle, experts say. A Fortune analysis of produce wholesale prices from USDA data found grocery-cart staples such as tomatoes, bananas, and yellow onions have experienced significant price spikes since the war began. The United Nations reported its global food price index rose by 2.4% in March, the second consecutive month of rising prices." [Fortune, 4/8/26]
July 2026: The Cost Of Fresh Food And Any Goods That Required Shipment Were Expected To Rise Amid Energy Price Hikes Over The United States’ War With Iran. According to PBS, “Already feeling pinched since the start of the Iran war, consumers are likely to feel more pain ahead as oil prices pushed past $100 a barrel Thursday amid renewed fighting and military strikes that have left global oil supplies stranded in the Middle East. The elevated price marked a turn from lower oil prices enjoyed briefly when hostilities between the U.S. and Iran waned in June. Brent crude, the international standard, last reached $100 a barrel in May. Companies that produce and sell fresh food, school supplies and anything that gets shipped using fuel reported cost impacts from an earlier spike in energy prices after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. They're likely to continue passing some of their increased expenses to consumers.” [PBS News, 7/24/26]
Experts Said The Rising Price Of Diesel Would Cause A “Cascading Effect” That Would Lead To New Jerseyans Paying Higher Prices At The Grocery Store. According to North Jersey, “Data from the federal Bureau of Trucking Statistics shows that in 2024, truckers moved over 3.1 billion tons of food within the United States, ranging from meat and seafood to alcohol and grains. Diesel’s price increases will have a cascading effect that ultimately leads to higher prices on the grocery shelves — an economic pain point for already cash-strapped Americans. ‘A loaf of bread requires diesel to harvest the grain, move the grain to a mill, move the flour to a bakery, and move the bread to the store,’ said Kevin Lyons, who leads the Rutgers Center for Local Supply Chain Resiliency in Newark. ‘Every leg adds a new surcharge.’” [North Jersey, 3/20/26]
- In Addition To Boosting Prices At The Store, The War In Iran Was Increasing Costs For Food Production. According to North Jersey, “Diesel ‘plays a good role in food production as well,’ said Mark Schieldrop, a spokesperson for AAA Northeast. It’s also used in the plastic packaging for food, he said. Companies across industries are following up with their own fees that will likely dribble down to consumers, experts said. Package delivery company UPS, shipping giant Maersk, chemicals firm Ecolab and airlines Cathay Pacific and Air India have all announced fuel surcharges since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. ‘We expect more such announcements until oil prices cool meaningfully from four-year highs,’ Pavel Molchanov, a Raymond James investment strategy analyst, said in an email to NorthJersey.com reporting partner USA Today.” [North Jersey, 3/20/26]
HEADLINE: "Higher Prices For Gas, Groceries And Flights Will Likely Outlast The Iran War" [AP News, 6/16/26]
¶ The War With Iran Cost U.S. Families $100 Billion So Far
As Of June 2026, The War In Iran Cost U.S. Families $100 Billion So Far. According to Fortune, "$750 a household—or $100 billion. This is the cost that Moody’s has calculated the Iran War has been so far to the U.S. consumer. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the cost passed on to households is the result of increased military spending and higher prices as a result of oil supply disruption out of the Middle East. Since the U.S. and Israel launched action against Iran—setting off a domino-effect of attacks across the Middle East—brent crude has topped $110 a barrel on multiple occasions." [Fortune, 6/2/26]
Americans, By A Margin Of 56 Percent To 7 Percent, Expected Trump’s War In Iran To Have A “Mostly Negative Impact” On Their Personal Financial Situation. According to The Washington Post, “Americans, by a margin of 56 percent to 7 percent, expect the war to have a ‘mostly negative impact’ on their personal financial situation, according to a March 31 Ipsos poll. A Middle East conflict that lasts for several more months would almost certainly spread higher prices and supply chain disruption beyond Asia and Europe to American shores. ‘I don’t think the U.S. will avoid it. These are global markets,’ said Rachel Ziemba, a New York-based analyst who advises corporations on geopolitical risk. ‘Experts, even a week ago, were worried. Now they are more worried.’” [Washington Post, 4/4/26]