Jason Smith

Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., told Newsmax on Wednesday that affordability concerns tied to the U.S. military action against Iran are the top issue going into the midterm elections.

On "Ed Henry: The Big Take," Smith said there is no question in his mind that affordability is "the number one issue" Republicans face.

"Lowering fuel prices is so important. I tell everyone it's about food, fertilizer, and fuel. Those are three things that we need to get control over," Smith said.

He said no one can challenge that the overriding reason for the bump in prices is the conflict with Iran.

"Of course, inflation under [former President Joe] Biden went up by 21%. Inflation went down to the lowest level in five years under Trump," Smith said.

But he acknowledged that all that changed in a flash.

"However, it's had an uptick lately, and it's because of the price and increase of energy within the index. And of course, that's because of what's going on in Iran."

The House Ways and Means Committee chair said the fix is known.

"We need to get this conflict over with as soon as possible and move on and address the affordability issues while we're walking and chewing gum at the same time," Smith said.

He said a new Atlas poll looking at Democrats who may run for president that shows Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., out front comes as no surprise to him.

"I've been saying this with my colleagues for a long time," he said.

Smith predicted that Ocasio-Cortez will be the Democratic nominee for president because what she stands for is exactly what the party is today.

"And so, of course, when she runs, she'll get the nomination," he said.

The lawmaker described this as somewhat unsettling.

"I have no question about that, which is pretty scary, if you ask me. Because serving with [Ocasio-Cortez] in Congress, knowing where she stands on so many different issues and what she advocates for is quite alarming."

But Smith said Republicans should not worry since they have plenty of strong White House contenders to ward off an Ocasio-Cortez campaign.

"Republicans just need to worry about our candidate and making sure that we put the best people on the field. As long as we do that, we'll be fine," he said.

Ocasio-Cortez fueled speculation about a possible 2028 presidential bid after declining to rule out a White House run in a recent appearance with political strategist David Axelrod in Chicago.

Speaking at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, the New York Democrat pushed back against suggestions that her ambitions centered on the Oval Office.

"They assume my ambition is positional," Ocasio-Cortez said. "My ambition is way bigger than that."