[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 69 (Monday, April 20, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S1834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, Donald Trump continues to demonstrate 
that he has no plan to end his disastrous war of choice with Iran and 
no idea just how badly the American people are hurting because of him.
  Companies and airlines are charging Americans an Iran war surcharge. 
Mortgage rates are climbing. Gas is still over $4 a gallon.
  Over the weekend, Trump's Energy Secretary said that gas prices won't 
be normal until 2027. If you don't believe Chris Wright, believe Donald 
Trump. Trump said gas prices will be ``around the same'' or ``maybe a 
little bit higher''--his quote--by November--his words, not mine.
  Just the other day, Trump said that $4 for a gallon of gas is ``not 
very high''--that is what he said--and that ``everything's doing really 
well.''
  Really, Mr. President, spoken like a man who doesn't have to fill up 
his own tank.
  Try telling the American people, who will spend an average of $740 
more this year on gas because of this war, that ``everything's doing 
really well.''
  And, unfortunately and sadly, there is no end in sight. The Strait of 
Hormuz remains closed. Iran fired on commercial ships over the weekend. 
The United States seized an Iranian vessel.
  According to Trump, JD Vance will be on his way to Pakistan soon. But 
it is unclear whether the Iranians will even agree to meet with him, 
let alone agree to open up the Strait.
  Mr. President, 51 days into this war, and Donald Trump still does not 
have an objective, strategy, or exit plan. The American people have 
questions. Congress must demand answers.
  Last week, Senate Republicans had their fourth opportunity to support 
our War Powers Resolution, and for the fourth time, Senate Republicans 
acquiesced to Donald Trump and gave this historic blunder their stamp 
of approval.
  Tomorrow, Senate Democrats will force a fifth vote on our War Powers 
Resolution. We will continue to force votes on our resolution every 
single week that Trump's war continues.
  The most important vote a Senator can take is whether to go to war. 
Senate Republicans cannot sit on the sidelines while our servicemembers 
are risking their lives on the frontlines.
  I don't know how Trump's war will end, but I do know that Trump's war 
cannot end soon enough.

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