¶ Overview
In 2026, Biggs opposed the U.S. House resolution to end the war in Iran, arguing Trump had the authority under Article II and the War Powers Act of 1973. Biggs also claimed Trump’s strikes against Iran were “limited and strategic,” and therefore did “not constitute open-ended war.”
This was in contrast to Biggs' work during Trump’s first term and Biden’s presidency to limit the power of presidents to take military action without congressional approval. Biggs claimed to agree with the framers of the Constitution, who he said “were committed to ensuring that Congress be at the heart of all decision-making related to our country going to war.”
As of May 22, average gas prices in Arizona had risen above the national average to more than $4.80 per gallon, a more than 46 percent increase since the war started. Arizona workers, including farmers and rideshare drivers, reported struggling to make ends meet as fuel costs continued to make up a larger share of their operational costs.
¶ Biggs Claimed The War In Iran Fell Within Trump’s Authority Despite Previously Opposing Presidents Taking Military Action Without Congressional Approval
¶ 2026: Biggs Defended Trump’s Authority To Continue The War In Iran
¶ Biggs Opposed The House Resolution To End The War In Iran And Claimed Trump Was “Acting Lawfully And Within His Constitutional Authority”
Biggs Argued The House Resolution To End The War In Iran “Addressed A Situation That Does Not Exist” Because Trump’s Actions “Fall Squarely Within His Article II Authority As Commander In Chief And Within The Parameters Of The War Powers Act Of 1973.” According to Cronkite News, “Neither Biggs nor Schweikert has publicly praised the decision to attack Iran. That remained true after Thursday’s vote. ‘I strongly support Congress exercising its constitutional role on matters of war and peace,’ Biggs, R-Gilbert, said in a statement after the vote, ‘but the resolution addressed a situation that does not exist. President Trump’s targeted actions to neutralize threats from the Iranian regime fall squarely within his Article II authority as Commander in Chief and within the parameters of the War Powers Act of 1973.’” [Cronkite News, 3/5/26]
Biggs Said He Was “Satisfied” With The War In Iran And Supported Trump “Acting Lawfully And Within His Constitutional Authority To Decisively Keep Americans Safe.” According to Cronkite News, “On Thursday, Biggs said he was satisfied with the mission described by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: ‘Protect American lives, dismantle the regime’s ability to threaten the region, and ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.’ ‘I will always support the constitutional balance of powers, but I will also support a president who is acting lawfully and within his constitutional authority to decisively keep Americans safe,’ Biggs said.” [Cronkite News, 3/5/26]
¶ Biggs Argued Trump’s Strikes On Iran Did “Not Constitute Open-Ended War”
Biggs Claimed Trump’s Strikes On Iran Did “Not Constitute Open-Ended War” Because They “Were Limited And Strategic,” And “Aimed At Protecting American Personnel And Preventing Iran From Advancing Toward Nuclear Capability.” According to Cronkite News, “Biggs defended his vote, and the apparent contradiction with his previous stance on presidential war powers, by arguing the Iran conflict doesn’t amount to a war. ‘The president’s actions were limited and strategic, consistent with longstanding precedent used by both Republican and Democrat administrations. Targeted military operations aimed at protecting American personnel and preventing Iran from advancing toward nuclear capability do not constitute open-ended war,’ he said.” [Cronkite News, 3/5/26]
¶ 2019-2024: During Trump’s First Term And Biden’s Presidency, Biggs Opposed US Presidents Taking Military Action Without Congressional Approval
¶ 2024: Biggs Said Biden’s Air Strikes Against Houthi Targets In Yemen “Blatantly Violate Article I Of Our Constitution”
In 2024, Biggs Said Biden’s Air Strikes Against Houthi Targets In Yemen “Blatantly Violate Article I Of Our Constitution,” And Accused Biden Of “Unilaterally Pull[ing] Us Into Another War.” According to Cronkite News, “But Biggs has previously accused presidents of overstepping their authority in episodes involving much less extensive military operations – none of which included the death of the adversary’s leader. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an air strike in the early hours of the conflict, along with other top Iranian leaders. When President Joe Biden ordered air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in January 2024, Biggs posted on X that ‘Biden’s airstrikes in Yemen blatantly violate Article I of our Constitution. He can’t unilaterally pull us into another war. Why does he want so many wars?’” [Cronkite News, 3/5/26]
¶ 2019-2020: Biggs Argued “The Framers Of The Constitution Were Committed To Ensuring That Congress Be At The Heart Of All Decision-Making Related To Our Country Going To War”
During Trump’s First Term, Biggs Worked To Limit The Ability Of Presidents To Pursue Military Action Without Congressional Approval And Argued “The Framers Of The Constitution Were Committed To Ensuring That Congress Be At The Heart Of All Decision-Making Related To Our Country Going To War.” According to Cronkite News, “In 2019, Biggs co-founded a bipartisan War Powers Caucus with liberal Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., stating that ‘the framers of the Constitution were committed to ensuring that Congress be at the heart of all decision-making related to our country going to war.’ Trump was president at the time. In January 2020, Biggs and Schweikert were among just 11 House Republicans who voted with Democrats to limit Trump’s ability to pursue military action without approval from Congress. The measure failed. In July 2020, Biggs and Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz proposed a repeal of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force in order to end the broad leeway Congress gave presidents during the ‘war on terror’ after the Sept. 11 attacks. The measure failed.” [Cronkite News, 3/5/26]
¶ The War In Iran Caused Higher Gas Prices In Arizona And Impacted The Incomes Of Arizona Farmers And Rideshare Drivers
¶ Gas Prices In Arizona Increased More Than 46 Percent From Before The War And Were Higher Than The National Average
AAA: As Of May 22, 2026, Arizonans Were Paying An Average Of $4.803 For Gas, Compared To The National Average Of $4.552. According to AAA,
[AAA, Accessed 5/22/26]
February 27 - May 18, 2026: Gas Prices In Arizona Increased 46.6 Percent, From An Average Of $3.29 To $4.83. According to the Center for American Progress,
[Center For American Progress, 5/18/26]
¶ May 2026: Increased Diesel Prices Made It More Expensive For Arizona Farmers To Operate Tractors And Delivery Trucks
May 2026: Increased Diesel Prices Raised Arizona Farms’ Fuel Bills Several Thousands Of Dollars To Operate Multiple Tractors To Maintain The Farm And Delivery Trucks To Transport Produce. According to the Arizona Republic, “Due to the war in Iran, the price of diesel increased by over $2 per gallon compared to April 2025, according to AAA’s fuel prices database. On Apr. 8, diesel hit a record high in Arizona at $6.20 per gallon. At Crooked Sky Farms, a 65-acre farm at the base of South Mountain, one small tractor uses around 40 gallons of diesel in a day, according to owner Frank Martin. Between the multiple tractors that it takes to maintain the farm combined with the large, refrigerated delivery trucks to transport produce to the farmers market, the farm’s fuel bill has increased by several thousand dollars over the past few months.” [Arizona Republic, 5/4/26]
¶ May 2026: Arizona Rideshare Drivers Reported Fuel Costs Taking Up A Larger Share Of Their Income Due To Increased Gas Prices
May 2026: Arizona Rideshare Drivers Struggled To Make Ends Meet As Rising Gas Prices Took Up A Larger Share Of Their Income. According to FOX10 Phoenix, “With conflicts in the Middle East showing no signs of stopping, an energy expert warns that gasoline prices in Arizona could reach $6 a gallon in the near future, an escalation that would heavily impact local rideshare operators who spend all day on the road. Big picture view: The upward trend is a growing issue that is not only affecting rideshare drivers in Arizona, but also drivers nationwide and across the globe. ‘I barely get any sleep because I have to go hard,’ Arizona rideshare driver Joquin Grays said. ‘With this being my main job, I have to grind harder.’ ‘It's high. We're feeling it. It's a big thing. I fill it up everyday,’ rideshare driver Jernaria Reynolds said. [...] Rideshare drivers continue to face immense financial stress at the pump. ‘Now $20 don’t even get this a half a tank and before it was like $35 maybe to fill it up,’ Grays said. Grays says high gas prices are also impacting his income, especially after the company takes its share. ‘So they take like more than half of what we make,’ Grays said. ‘So earlier I did a ride for $44 and got $16.’” [FOX10 Phoenix, 5/16/26]