Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) on Wednesday pointed to the war in Ukraine as the primary driver of skyrocketing diesel prices, making energy costs a central flashpoint in the rapidly approaching midterm elections.
During a Senate debate against Democrat Adam Hamilton, Marshall argued that the conflict has curtailed diesel production and underscored America's reliance on foreign imports. “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?” he said.
Marshall then pivoted to attack Hamilton’s energy platform, linking it to the Green New Deal and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “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.
The sharp exchange comes as diesel prices have surged to record levels, with the national average hitting roughly $6.31 per gallon on Thursday, according to AAA—up from about $3.63 a year earlier. Multiple factors are behind the spike, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries have tightened global supply. Additionally, the conflict in Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil shipments.
Energy costs have become a defining issue in the 2026 midterms, with Republicans fighting to retain control of Congress. The Kansas Senate race is rated a “toss-up” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, a notable development in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since the 1930s.
Beyond energy, Republicans are grappling with President Trump’s unpopularity and broader concerns about the cost of living. The debate in Kansas reflects a national trend where economic anxieties are overshadowing other policy debates. Trump's Ukraine gambit has done little to ease those worries, according to recent polling.
Marshall’s comments also come amid the first Russian diesel tanker heading to U.S. shores, a development that has stirred political controversy. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are demanding answers over reported slowdowns in Ukraine’s Starlink access, adding another layer to the complex geopolitical landscape.
The Hill has reached out to Hamilton’s campaign and Schumer’s office for comment, but neither had responded by press time.
