Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) on Wednesday blamed the war in Ukraine for high diesel prices, with energy costs as a key concern in the rapidly approaching midterms.
“The real problem with the cost of diesel, in particular, is No. 1, is the Ukraine war, and because of that, diesel production has gone down. But beyond that, why are we dependent upon diesel imports?” Marshall said during a Senate debate against Democrat Adam Hamilton.
“It’s because of the Green New Deal policy that my opponent supports. His policies would fit in just right with Chuck Schumer. So, if I would lose this seat, Adam Hamilton would give control of the Senate to Chuck Schumer, who would go back to his Green New Deal,” the Kansas senator added, referring to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Multiple factors are behind the recent rise in diesel prices, including the ongoing war in Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war. In the case of the war in Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the oil industry, has been closed amid the conflict. When it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian strikes against Russian refineries are also pushing diesel prices higher.
Energy costs have become a key issue in the 2026 midterms as the GOP fights to maintain control of Congress. According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of diesel in the U.S. on Thursday morning was about $6.31, up from about $3.63 last year at the same time.
The race between Hamilton and Marshall is rated as a “toss-up” by the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report, which is notable given that Kansas has not elected a Democrat for Senate since the 1930s.
Other issues weighing the GOP down in this year’s midterms include President Trump’s unpopularity and concerns about the cost of living.
The Hill has reached out to Hamilton’s campaign and Schumer’s office for comment.
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