Former Representative Mike Rogers, who is running for the U.S. Senate from Michigan and supported by former President Donald Trump, highlighted the financial challenges faced by Americans. He emphasized the need for the Iran war to “end quickly” and proposed a diesel export embargo until the conflict concludes in a recent social media video.
“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. He had previously suggested suspending both state and federal gas taxes, totaling 70 cents per gallon.
The motor fuel tax in Michigan, applicable to gas and diesel, is 52.4 cents per gallon. Federal taxes involve excise taxes of 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, along with a 0.1 cent per gallon fee associated with the Leaking Underground Storage Tank, as noted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
While Rogers hasn’t asked for the suspension of the federal diesel tax, he advocates for a diesel export embargo. He explained that diesel powers essential processes, from transporting groceries to fueling tractors that grow 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,” Rogers elaborated.
President Trump has endorsed Rogers, reaffirming his support in a video shared on social media. “Mike Rogers has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next U.S. Senator from Michigan — he will never let you down!” read the video’s caption.
Currently, the AAA national average for diesel is at a high of $6.5276 as of September 22. Rogers is competing against Democratic Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. In reaction to Rogers’ video, El-Sayed criticized his Republican opponent, accusing him of supporting the war in Iran.
Former Representative Justin Amash, who placed second in the 2024 GOP Michigan U.S. Senate primary behind Rogers, expressed skepticism about Rogers’ motives on social media. He commented, “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.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to both the White House and Rogers’ campaign for comments. Rogers had lost the 2024 U.S. Senate general election to Elissa Slotkin.
Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed continues to make strides in his campaign, such as participating in the Labor Day parade in Detroit, Michigan.