¶ Overview
Wilson defended Trump's war with Iran, claiming Trump was “promoting peace and prosperity” in the Middle East through his military action in the region. Wilson went so far as to compare the war with the fall of the Berlin Wall, calling Trump's military action “inspiring.” While Wilson defended the war, his constituents suffered from skyrocketing gas prices and the threat of rising grocery prices as the war dragged on. All the while, Wilson voted in lockstep with his Republican colleagues to ensure Trump's war with Iran continued unchecked.
¶ Wilson Backed Trump’s Costly War With Iran That Raised Prices For South Carolinians
¶ Wilson Defended Trump’s War With Iran, Claiming Trump Was “Promoting Peace And Prosperity” In The Region
3/4/26: Wilson Said He Was “Grateful For The Courageous Actions” Taken By Trump In Iran. Rep. Joe Wilson tweeted, “I am grateful for the courageous actions taken by @POTUS to remove the murderous Iranian Regime from power. The Regime is the architect of decades of terror, repression, and aggression, killing thousands of Americans and allies over the years.”
[Twitter, @RepJoeWilson, 3/4/26] (video)
3/6/26: Wilson Compared Trump’s Military Action In Iran To The Fall Of The Berlin Wall And Praised The Failure Of A Resolution Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran. According to Newsmax, “Wilson, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, praised the outcome in an interview with ‘Wake Up America,’ saying, ‘I'm so grateful the House of Representatives joined the Senate [and] is standing with President Donald Trump.’ ‘President Trump has been so courageous, and this should not be partisan,’ Wilson added. ‘The Iranians have been indiscriminate for 47 years at war with America, killing Democrats and Republicans, and so this should be a time we should come together.’ The failed House resolution, co-sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., would have directed Trump to end U.S. involvement in hostilities with Iran unless Congress specifically authorized continued military action under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. […] He also compared the potential impact to the collapse of Soviet control in Europe and said, ‘What President Trump has done … it's been compared to the fall of the Berlin Wall, where dozens of countries of Central and Eastern Europe were liberated.’” [Newsmax, 3/6/26]
4/1/26: Wilson Claimed Trump Was “Quickly Achieving” His Military Objectives In Iran And That Operation Epic Fury Was “Winding Down.” Rep. Joe Wilson tweeted, “America is quickly achieving our military objectives against the murderous Iranian regime and ‘Operation Epic Fury’ is winding down. The Iranian Regime has been committing heinous crimes against Americans for 47 years and now, under the leadership of @POTUS — and in partnership with Israel and other allies in the region — long-term stability in the Middle East is achievable. I’m grateful for all the men and women serving our country in the name of freedom and continue to pray for those who are wounded or have given the ultimate sacrifice. [Twitter, @RepJoeWilson, 4/1/26]
4/5/26: Wilson Called Trump’s Military Action In Iran “Inspiring.” Rep. Joe Wilson tweeted, “America is blessed with a professional military upholding the sacred creed of ‘Leave No One Behind.’ Success in Iran has special meaning to me with four sons having Middle East service. The vision of @POTUS of Peace Through Strength is inspiring. Freedom is not Free.” [Twitter, @RepJoeWilson, 4/5/26]
7/1/26: Wilson Claimed The Trump Administration Was “Promoting Peace And Prosperity” In The Middle East By Continuing Its War With Iran. Rep. Joe Wilson tweeted, “President Trump and Secretary Rubio are promoting peace and prosperity throughout the Middle East dismantling the terrorist regime in Tehran and its puppets such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas which shout Death to Israel, Death to America. I appreciate President Trump’s efforts to give Syria a chance through stability and prosperity and was grateful to personally express that to him a few days ago. President Trump’s efforts promoting peace between Lebanon and Israel and supporting stabilization in Syria help secure Israel and secure the region.” [Twitter, @RepJoeWilson, 7/1/26]
¶ Wilson Repeatedly Voted Against Ending The United States’ Action In Iran
¶ July 2026: Wilson Voted Against Removing U.S. Armed Forces From Hostilities Against Iran Unless Explicitly Authorized By A Declaration Of War
2026: Wilson Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In July 2026 Wilson voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to discharge the Foreign Relations Committee from further consideration of the joint resolution that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces hostilities against Iran not authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for military force.” The vote was on adoption of the resolution. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 214 to 208. [House Vote 282, 7/23/26; Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.89]
- The Senate Voted Against Ending The War In Iran On The Same Day. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The House and Senate, in votes Thursday on ending the Iran war, came to different conclusions, but the majority of voting members of Congress said it is time to bring U.S. troops home. The House, for the second time, formally called on President Donald Trump to end the war, approving 214-208 a nonbinding concurrent resolution (H Con Res 89) by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26]
- The Vote Came After The Trump Administration Declared A Memorandum Of Understanding From The Previous Month “Over”, With Three US Troops Killed The Weekend Before And Houthi Strikes Against Two Saudi Tankers The Day Before. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Last month, the Trump administration announced it had reached a memorandum of understanding with Iran. But less than a month later, Trump declared the MOU ‘over.’ On July 10, he formally notified Congress fighting in the war had resumed. Over the weekend, three U.S. troops were killed in an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan, while a fourth U.S. service member in Iraq died during what was supposed to be a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone. Iran’s proxy group in Yemen, the Houthis, struck two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday. Such attacks could choke off another bottleneck in the global economy in addition to the ongoing throttling of trade in the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the war.” [Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26]
¶ June 2026: Wilson Voted Against Removing U.S. Armed Forces From Hostilities Against Iran Unless Explicitly Authorized By A Declaration Of War
2026: Wilson Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Wilson voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “adoption of a resolution that would direct the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the resolution by a vote of 215 to 208. [House Vote 199, 6/3/26; Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 86]
- The Vote Occurred As The War Entered Its Fourth Month, And Was The House’s Fourth Vote On The War As Gas And Food Prices Continued To Rise. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Either way, supporters say the House adopting the resolution sends an important message to Trump that Congress is fed up with the war as it lumbers into its fourth month. ‘We're now past 90 days, there seems to be no end to this war, and folks want some accountability, Democrats and Republicans,’ New York Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the sponsor of Wednesday’s resolution, said ahead of the vote. ‘The American people are suffering. The cost of gas continues to go up, the cost of food and inflation keeps going up.’ ‘So it's been building and building,’ Meeks added. Wednesday’s vote was the House’s fourth on an Iran war powers resolution since the war started at the end of February, with each vote getting tighter than before. In the third vote last month, the measure was rejected 212-212.” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
- GOP Leadership Delayed The Vote Through A Week-Long Recess When It Became Clear It Would Pass. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The House had originally been slated to vote on Meeks’ resolution before the Memorial Day recess. But when it became apparent the resolution was likely to be approved, particularly with a handful of Republican absences, GOP leadership yanked the vote from the schedule. Republicans could not delay the vote beyond Wednesday since the 1973 War Powers Resolution (PL 93-148) requires the House to vote within three legislative days of a measure being called up on the floor.” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
- The Vote Came Amidst Ongoing Strikes Despite A Proclaimed Ceasefire With Iran Claiming It Was Suspending Talks Following An Israeli Incursion Of Lebanon. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The growing congressional angst over the war comes as an already fragile ceasefire appears increasingly tenuous and the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran stumble. Early Wednesday morning, Iran launched a missile and drone attack at an airport in Kuwait, killing an Indian national and injuring dozens of other people, in what Tehran described as a response to U.S. strikes on Iran the night before. U.S. Central Command said Iran also targeted U.S. forces in Kuwait but that air defenses shot down the drones and ‘ensured no American personnel or assets were harmed.’ On Tuesday evening, Central Command said it conducted ‘self-defense strike’ on Iran’s Qeshm Island in response to Iran firing missiles and drones toward Kuwait and Bahrain. Hours earlier, Central Command also said U.S. forces fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of a Botswana-flagged oil tanker that it alleged was trying to evade the U.S. blockade against Iranian ports. The exchange of fire comes amid on-again-off-again talks to end the war. On Monday, Iran said it was suspending talks with the United States in response to Israel’s incursion into Lebanon. But Trump maintained that talks are continuing despite Iran’s statement, posting on Truth Social on Tuesday that ‘the conversations between us have been going on continuously.’” [Congressional Quarterly, 6/3/26]
¶ May 2026: Wilson Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War
5/14/26: Wilson Voted Against Terminating Hostilities Against Iran Without A Declaration Of War. In May 2026, Wilson voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. It would clarify that nothing in the measure could be construed to disrupt intelligence, counterintelligence or investigative activities.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the resolution by a vote of 212 to 212. [House Vote 170, 5/14/26; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 75]
¶ April 2026: Wilson Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress
4/16/26: Wilson Voted Against Directing The President To Withdraw Troops From Iran Unless Authorized By Congress. In April 2026, Wilson voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. The measure would exempt the use of U.S. armed forces that may be necessary to defend the U.S. or a U.S. ally or partner from imminent attack.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the resolution by a vote of 213 to 214. [House Vote 114, 4/16/26; Congressional Quarterly, 4/16/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.40]
¶ March 2026: Wilson Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran
3/5/26: Wilson Voted Against Directing President Trump To Withdraw Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Wilson voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the concurrent resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.” The vote was on passage. The House rejected the concurrent resolution by a vote of 212 to 219. [House Vote 85, 3/5/26; Congressional Quarterly, 3/5/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.38]
¶ Trump’s War With Iran Was Costly For South Carolinians
¶ Regular And Diesel Gas Prices Were Higher For Consumers As A Result Of The War
VIDEO: “Gas Prices Surge As US-Iran War Continues” [Fox Carolina, 7/26/26] (video)
July 2026: The National Average Price For A Gallon Of Gas Was Reaching $4 Again After Trump Declared A Ceasefire Was Over. According to Arizona’s Family, "Gas prices continue to inch up after President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire agreement with Iran was ‘over.’ AAA reported the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was just shy of $4, at $3.98 a gallon. On Thursday, the average price of diesel was back up to about $5 a gallon. Oil and gas prices had been declining after the U.S. and Iran signed a peace plan to end the war in June." [Arizona’s Family, 7/17/26]
- The War In Iran Caused Fuel Inventories To Plunge To Historic Lows, Leading To A Major Surge In Gas Prices. According to the Washington Post, "Americans face a new round of punishing price increases for fuel and other products as oil and gas inventories plunge to historic lows around the world because of the war in Iran, energy executives and analysts warn. Fuel stocks are so low, experts said, that even an abrupt agreement between the United States and Iran and an immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies passed before the war — may not stop fuel prices from soaring anew by the July Fourth holiday." [Washington Post, 6/3/26]
8/6/26: Diesel Cost An Average Of $5.16 In South Carolina.
[AAA, South Carolina Fuel Prices, Viewed 8/6/26]
- AUDIO: 5 Months Into The Iran War, Gas Prices Are Still High” [South Carolina Public Radio, 7/21/26] (audio)
Consumers Were Facing Higher Costs Of Airfare Due To The Increased Price Of Fuel For Airlines. According to Arizona’s Family, "The week before the war started, the price of jet fuel was $2.50 a gallon. On Tuesday, April 28, the price is $4.26, according to Airlines for America. ‘I fly Southwest mostly. I was able to get a straight flight home and two from here. It was higher than normal, for sure,’ said Patrick Foy, who was flying from Phoenix to Louisiana. Major airliners have already raised checked baggage fees because of the rising fuel prices, while some of the smaller, budget airlines are asking the federal government for billions of dollars in assistance. ‘It’s obviously frustrating. It affects our family’s budget,’ Foy said. Gas experts have said even when the war in Iran ends, the full relief people see at the pump or when buying a plane ticket will most likely not be immediate." [Arizona’s Family, 4/28/26]
¶ Grocery Prices Were Higher For South Carolinians Because Of The War With Iran
South Carolina Farmers Warned That A Spike In Fertilizer Prices Due To Trump’s War In Iran Would Impact Grocery Store Prices. According to WIS 10, “Farmers across South Carolina say rising fertilizer prices are putting even more pressure on an industry already dealing with years of higher costs, and they warn the latest spike could eventually affect consumers at the grocery store. The concern comes amid ongoing instability tied to the war in Iran, which adds new strain to the global fertilizer supply chain. David Owens, a farmer in Marion County, said fertilizer prices have jumped sharply in a short amount of time. ‘Fertilizer’s been up tremendously this year, so it’s probably up a third, you know, just this spring,’ Owens said. ‘You don’t have fertilizer, you know, you just, you can’t make a crop.’” [WIS 10, 4/13/26]
- HEADLINE: “Iran War Causing Fertilizer Prices To Spike, South Carolina Farmers Warn Of Impact On Food Costs” [WIS 10, 4/13/26]
Tomatoes, Bananas, And Onions Experienced Major Price Hikes Since The Beginning Of The War. According to Fortune, "The U.S., Israel, and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, but the sticker shock you’ve been feeling every time you go to the grocery store will get worse if the war continues. One of the first places you’ll feel it will be the produce aisle, experts say. A Fortune analysis of produce wholesale prices from USDA data found grocery-cart staples such as tomatoes, bananas, and yellow onions have experienced significant price spikes since the war began. The United Nations reported its global food price index rose by 2.4% in March, the second consecutive month of rising prices." [Fortune, 4/8/26]
July 2026: The Cost Of Fresh Food And Any Goods That Required Shipment Were Expected To Rise Amid Energy Price Hikes Over The United States’ War With Iran. According to PBS, “Already feeling pinched since the start of the Iran war, consumers are likely to feel more pain ahead as oil prices pushed past $100 a barrel Thursday amid renewed fighting and military strikes that have left global oil supplies stranded in the Middle East. The elevated price marked a turn from lower oil prices enjoyed briefly when hostilities between the U.S. and Iran waned in June. Brent crude, the international standard, last reached $100 a barrel in May. Companies that produce and sell fresh food, school supplies and anything that gets shipped using fuel reported cost impacts from an earlier spike in energy prices after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. They're likely to continue passing some of their increased expenses to consumers.” [PBS News, 7/24/26]
HEADLINE: "Higher Prices For Gas, Groceries And Flights Will Likely Outlast The Iran War" [AP News, 6/16/26]
¶ The War With Iran Cost U.S. Families $100 Billion So Far
As Of June 2026, The War In Iran Cost U.S. Families $100 Billion So Far. According to Fortune, "$750 a household—or $100 billion. This is the cost that Moody’s has calculated the Iran War has been so far to the U.S. consumer. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the cost passed on to households is the result of increased military spending and higher prices as a result of oil supply disruption out of the Middle East. Since the U.S. and Israel launched action against Iran—setting off a domino-effect of attacks across the Middle East—brent crude has topped $110 a barrel on multiple occasions." [Fortune, 6/2/26]
Americans, By A Margin Of 56 Percent To 7 Percent, Expected Trump’s War In Iran To Have A “Mostly Negative Impact” On Their Personal Financial Situation. According to The Washington Post, “Americans, by a margin of 56 percent to 7 percent, expect the war to have a ‘mostly negative impact’ on their personal financial situation, according to a March 31 Ipsos poll. A Middle East conflict that lasts for several more months would almost certainly spread higher prices and supply chain disruption beyond Asia and Europe to American shores. ‘I don’t think the U.S. will avoid it. These are global markets,’ said Rachel Ziemba, a New York-based analyst who advises corporations on geopolitical risk. ‘Experts, even a week ago, were worried. Now they are more worried.’” [Washington Post, 4/4/26]