Michigan congressman on ongoing war with Iran, U.S.-Canada trade war and data centers

(CBS, KYMA) - Rep. John James (R-Mich.) spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday about the ongoing war with Iran.

According to a CBS News poll, 61% of Americans said they disapprove of the war as it has driven up gas prices, and it has affected America's role in the world.

When asked if he agrees with what appears to be a switch away from military force towards economic sanctions, and if he thinks his constituents deserve an explanation from the Trump Administration on what they're doing, Rep. James, who is an Iraq War Veteran, said:

"I believe very strongly when people say 'death to America,' we should take them at their word. I graduated West Point in the class of 2004, and we took our oath of affirmation, knowing that we would go to war. And as a result, the class of 2004 suffered the most casualties of any service academy since Vietnam. We understand the cost of war. We hate war, and we want to use every method, diplomatic or economic, to make sure that we keep Americans safe and we keep our young military members out of war. I applaud the administration's effort to make sure that Iran has no nukes, so they cannot threaten America and our allies. I applaud the administration's efforts to use every resource at their disposal to pursue peace, and these are the types of things that- that- that our people want. But we also have a number of things in the state of Michigan that we can do to lower the cost of living, to increase affordability, and these are the types of things that I'm running to do as governor to reduce harmful regulations that will lower gas prices and will lower the cost of groceries. These are the types of things that Michiganders are talking about: increasing affordability, particularly with energy and housing and healthcare. And I'm excited to be able to do that here at home."

During the interview, Brennan and James talked about the U.S-Canada trade war, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney saying he's going to match the U.S. tariffs on Canada dollar for dollar.

This prompted her to ask the congressman if he has any idea what the trade war is going to cost Michigan, who is reliant on trade with Canada, to which he said:

"Absolutely. I am somebody who actually understands the automotive industry. I'm an automotive supplier. I have actually created jobs in the state of Michigan, and I recognize how important and crucial our partnership with our friends and family in Canada is. But I also recognize how crucial it is that the status quo not continue. Michigan has lost over 300,000 manufacturing jobs since the 90s, and that cannot continue. But at the same time, we need the negotiators to go back to the table, stop acting like children, and negotiate a fair, mutually beneficial, reciprocal deal that will benefit the United States of America and the state of Michigan. As a governor, I will be able to work with the president, be able to work with the prime minister to make sure that we can do this. Hopefully, it doesn't take that long, but I stand ready and willing to assist to make sure that we have an economy that works for Michiganders and one that will continue to create prosperity in the state of Michigan."

Later in the interview, Brennan and James talked about data centers, with James saying the decision to allow data centers should be left to local communities.

However, his campaign said he supports a moratorium on new data centers until there's a plan to protect local communities.

This led Brennan to ask what his stance on data centers is, and the congressman said:

"Yeah, they're not mutually exclusive. They are the same. My position is that we need to have a plan to protect our communities. Until we do, then we have to make sure that we have local control. Our electricity bills can't go up. We must protect our water. We have to prevent pollution that includes land, air, noise pollution, and then we need to make sure that we prioritize blighted and brownfields over productive green farmland. And then, of course, we all need to make sure that we have diverse growth in our economy. But Michigan is open for business, but we are not for sale. We need to make sure that we are repealing Public Act 233 and Public Act 235 that give Lansing all the control and pursues these Green New Deal initiatives that are making everything more expensive from our gas to our groceries. You look at our prices, from our taxes to our energy costs. We are the highest amongst other Midwestern states. So again, we need to have local control, and we need to make sure we prevent pollution, make sure our electricity bills don't go up. We prioritize blighted brownfields over productive green farmland."

To watch more of Brennan's interview with James, click here.