Oil prices surge as Congress splits on Iran war votes: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today’s edition, we examine how the escalating Iran war is playing out in the oil markets and the halls of the Capitol. Plus, Scott Wong and Matt Dixon have a profile of the little-known new senator from South Carolina. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. — Adam Wollner Oil prices surge as Congress splits on Iran war votes Oil prices rose today to their highest levels in nearly two months after the latest Iran war escalation threatened severe new disruptions to global energy supplies, Steve Kopack writes. Brent crude oil, one of two key global benchmarks, closed higher by 7% at $100.69 per barrel. Earlier in the trading day, it rose as high as $102 per barrel. That is its highest level in eight weeks, since the end of May. U.S. crude oil also jumped for a second straight day, closing higher by 6.2% at $92.19 per barrel — its highest close since June 4. The new surge in prices comes after Tehran-backed Houthi rebels claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea following their announcement of a naval blockade on the kingdom. It appeared to mark the first time since the Iran war began that ship attacks had spread beyond the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, opening up a new front in the volatile conflict. On Capitol Hill: The House approved a nonbinding proposal to end the Iran war, Sahil Kapur, Kyle Stewart and Frank Thorp V report. Four Republicans joined all Democrats to cast decisive votes for the measure: Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Tom Barrett, R-Mich., Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. But the Senate voted to reject a joint resolution to end the Iran war that would have the force of law, unlike the House version, though it would be subject to a presidential veto. One Republican, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, joined every Democrat except Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., in voting to advance the measure. Four Republicans didn’t vote: Sens. Katie Britt, R-Ala., Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rand Paul, R-Ky. The votes in both chambers were pushed by Democrats eager to get Republicans on the record about an unpopular war ahead of the midterm elections and to reassert Congress’ role as the branch of government responsible for declaring war. Multiple Senate Republicans have said the war should not go on for more than 60 days without congressional approval in order to comply with federal law. They include Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, but both voted against today’s resolution. Asked why, Tillis said the 60-day clock started this month, not back in February when Trump and Israel first launched strikes on Iran. “July 10, to my knowledge, is the first time I heard anyone in the administration refer to it as a war,” Tillis said, adding that it would be important for Congress to authorize the war once 60 days are up. “The clock is ticking. We got to get serious about that,” Tillis said. “I think politically, we can help the president with an unpopular war right now if we provide some legitimacy to it.” ‘No one knows her’: Who is Darline Graham, South Carolina’s new senator? By Scott Wong and Matt Dixon Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., finds herself in a place she never imagined: the white-hot national spotlight that once tracked her brother’s every move. She had never run for elected office before. And she was not active in the local or state Republican Party political scene, despite her brother’s prominence. The 62-year-old mother of two spent a three-decade career in public service in South Carolina, but her work never sparked controversy or generated headlines. That’s all changed for Darline Graham, who replaced her brother, Lindsey Graham, in the Senate last week after his sudden death at age 71. She’s now running for a full six-year term in the seat with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Countless news articles have been written about her in the past 10 days, but they’ve largely focused on her relationship with her brother. Few details are known about her policy positions or how she would vote in the Senate. And the fact that she hasn’t held elected office before and lacks a voting record is causing frustration and heartburn for some Republicans inside and outside the Palmetto State. Read more → 🗳️The more the merrier: Trump’s endorsement of Graham is not scaring off other South Carolina Republicans from entering next month’s special Senate primary election. Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford launched his campaign today, joining a GOP field that also includes Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry and businessman Mark Lynch. That’s all From the Politics Desk for now. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Annelise Hanson. If you have feedback — likes or dislikes — email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if you’re a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here.