Rogers Calls for Diesel Export Embargo Amid Iran Conflict

Former Representative Mike Rogers, now running as the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, has highlighted the financial struggles faced by Americans and the pressing need for resolutions regarding the conflict with Iran. In a video shared on social media, Rogers voiced his concerns, particularly emphasizing the impact on Michigan families.

Rogers expressed the urgency of ending the conflict with Iran swiftly to alleviate economic pressures. He linked the resolution of the war to potential decreases in energy costs, stressing that Michigan families cannot bear the current financial burden much longer.

“Michigan families are struggling with the price of everyday life. Groceries cost too much. We have to bring prices down. The war with Iran needs to end, and end quickly. When it does, energy costs will plummet. But Michigan families can’t afford to wait for that to happen,” Rogers stated in the video.

To provide immediate relief, Rogers previously advocated for suspending the state and federal gas taxes, totaling 70 cents per gallon. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the state’s motor fuel tax covers both gasoline and diesel at 52.4 cents per gallon. Federal taxes include excise taxes of 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon on diesel, plus a Leaking Underground Storage Tank fee of 0.1 cents per gallon on both fuels.

While not suggesting a suspension of federal diesel taxes, Rogers backed a diesel export embargo. He explained the necessity of such measures, noting the significant role of diesel in supporting the food supply chain and how increased diesel costs affect production, distribution, and consumer prices.

“Diesel fuels the trucks that bring groceries to this store. It fuels the tractors that grow our food. And when diesel costs more, it costs more to grow it, ship it, stock it, and ultimately, buy it. So until this war is over, I’m calling for a temporary embargo on American diesel exports,” he mentioned.

Rogers received backing from former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him in a video, expressing complete confidence in his ability to represent Michigan: “Mike Rogers has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next U.S. Senator from Michigan—HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

The national average for diesel prices reached a record high of $6.5276 per gallon on September 22, posing additional concerns for constituents.

Rogers faces competition from Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who criticized Rogers’ stance on Iran literacy. El-Sayed accused Rogers of supporting the war in Iran, branding him a “liar, coward, fraud” in a social media post.

Former Representative Justin Amash, who was second in the 2024 GOP Michigan U.S. Senate primary, also criticized Rogers for his stance on the Iran conflict, saying, “When inveterate war hawk Mike Rogers suddenly declares, ‘The war in Iran needs to end—and end quickly,’ you know he’s losing—and losing badly.”

In past election cycles, Rogers contested against then-Representative Elissa Slotkin, losing narrowly in the 2024 U.S. Senate general election.