Rising gas and diesel prices are a major reason Republicans risk losing the House and possibly the Senate in November, but President Donald Trump’s energy deal with Russia will not fix that. It is too tiny and comes too late to change anyone’s mind about the economy. Worse, it provides much-needed economic relief to a Russian war machine that continues its unrelenting attacks on Ukraine.

Before Trump launched the war on Iran, gasoline was under $3 per gallon, and diesel was under $4. Now gas averages about $4.36 and diesel $6.28, increases of roughly 46% and 70%, respectively. These prices are hitting consumers hard, especially in red states where people drive more and industries such as farming, trucking, and construction depend on diesel.