2027 Presidential Budget Request Will Make Life Harder

Floor Speech

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Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Garcia for his leadership on this.

Americans are struggling. They are struggling with the high cost of living because of Republican policies that are doing nothing to bring down prices.

The cost of gas is too high. Americans are paying more for gasoline this year because of Trump's war of choice against Iran. Americans have seen the price spike in the last month, and the average household is expected to spend an extra $740 on gas this year because of Trump's war of choice against Iran.

Groceries cost more. The average family paid over $300 more for groceries last year. They are paying more this year, whether it is for bananas, coffee, and other basic goods. We can thank Republicans and Trump's tariff war for that along with the war on Iran. Trump's tariffs cost families more than $2,500 extra this year.

Utilities bills are also soaring through the roof. Since Trump took office, electric bills have gone up as much as 13 percent nationally while residential natural gas prices have increased by 12 percent.

Mr. Speaker, do you remember when Donald Trump and Republicans promised to lower costs on day one?

That was a lie. The cost of everything is going up, squeezing every penny from American families. As costs continue to rise, this administration is doubling down on the wrong priorities. The President's latest proposed budget not only does nothing to lower the cost, it puts Americans last. At a time when energy bills are rising, they want to eliminate energy assistance programs to help keep the lights on for many families. At a time when food prices are high, Trump and Republicans want to cut programs that would put food on the table for mothers and children. At a time when housing is unaffordable, they are cutting programs to help keep a roof over people's heads. At a time when families are struggling to get by, they are proposing massive increases in defense spending and pouring billions of dollars more into wars of choice overseas.

Americans were forced to pay an extra $1,600 on everyday expenses last year because of Trump's and Republicans' policies, and Trump's budget will force many of them to pay even more.

I have heard from people in my district. Erica from my district is a single mother of two. She worries about how to plan meals for her children because she can't buy as many groceries. She takes them to free parks and pools because she can't afford extracurricular activities.

A restaurant owner, Ralph, in South Gate, had decided between making payroll or paying the electricity bill. He paid his staff. His electricity was cut off, and it cost him thousands of dollars more to have it turned back on.

A nonprofit in my district told us that families are calling for help because they are forced to choose between paying for food or paying for basic expenses like electricity and water. Working people can't keep up with rising costs, and many are falling behind.

Mr. Speaker, Americans deserve a budget that works for them, not one that burdens Americans with higher prices while taking resources away to keep families afloat.

Americans deserve better. They deserve to be put first. Democrats are using every available tool to fight back against Republicans' dangerous agenda and fight for the American people.

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