Nicole Malliotakis

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Mike DeCillis, the Democrat challenging Rep. Nicole Malliotakis in November, accused his political opponent of voting to continue a “forever war” after Malliotakis voted against a war powers resolution on Tuesday.

The measure would rein in President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct military operations in Iran without congressional approval.

Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, sided with the majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives in opposition to the resolution, which passed 220-204; seven Republicans sided with Democrats in the House to approve the measure.

The resolution faces significant hurdles moving forward, including Senate approval and the possibility of a presidential veto.

“Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and the United States must stay the course to force the number one state sponsor of terrorism to continue negotiations to ensure long-term stability and protect our national security,” Malliotakis said in a statement on Wednesday. “Iran has repeatedly made threats to attack us on American soil and, on this 25th anniversary of 9/11, our constituents understand what is at risk more than anyone.”

Following Malliotakis’ vote, DeCillis provided a statement of his own.

“Trump nuked the nuke deal that the Obama administration secured to curb Iran’s nuclear program and reduce its stockpile in exchange for economic sanctions,” DeCillis said. “Trump started an illegal war in Iran without congressional approval. Hundreds of service members have been wounded or killed as a result. Nicole Malliotakis just voted to continue another forever war at the expense of your taxpayer dollars.”

“The war has caused civilian deaths, global instability in the markets, and the highest gas prices we have ever seen,” he added. “Malliotakis could have voted to end this war — this was a war of choice, but it was Trump’s choice and Nicole’s choice, not your choice.”

Eighteen U.S. service members have been killed and more than 800 wounded in the more than six-month war, according to The Hill.

Prices at the pump

As of Thursday morning, the average price for a gallon of gas in New York was $4.43, according to GasBuddy.

In May, Malliotakis and Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, introduced HR 8753, the Gas Tax Relief Act. That proposal sought to lower the strain on residents’ wallets by temporarily suspending the federal gas tax. If passed, the legislation would suspend the 18.4 cents per gallon federal tax on gasoline and the 24.4 cents per gallon federal tax on diesel fuel for 90 days after taking effect.

In May, the legislation was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, of which both Malliotakis and Miller are members. There has since been no update on that particular bill, according to Congress.gov.

An effort to suspend the federal gas tax proposed by Rep. Andy Harris, a Republican from Maryland, will not go to a vote until after midterm elections in November, according to Politico.

Speaker Mike Johnson said his caucus couldn’t rally around any single proposal to pause the tax, as noted in the report.

“Republican swamp creatures are obviously tone deaf to Americans’ concerns over fuel costs,” Harris said in a post on X Tuesday night. “They refuse to even let the House have a vote to temporarily suspend the federal fuel tax during this time of conflict. Good luck in November. There really is a uniparty…”

As reported by Politico, conservatives this week said halting the gas tax — an idea previously endorsed by Trump — would bring down gas prices, but were blocked by members of their own party worried it would greatly reduce a fund for highway upgrades.