Durbin On The Affordability Crisis: Costs Are Through The Roof Because Of President Trump And His MAGA Policies
In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin denounced President Trump’s economic policies, ranging from cuts to SNAP to instituting damaging tariffs, that are costing Americans more
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor about the nation’s affordability crisis, which has been spurred by the Trump Administration’s short-sighted economic policies, including tariffs, billions of dollars in cuts to SNAP, and attacks on immigrant workers. Despite claims made by President Trump, Americans are seeing a sharp spike in the cost of groceries and household goods.
“Last week, families gathered around the table to give thanks and enjoy a plate or two of turkey, mashed potatoes, casserole, cranberry sauce, and more. Except this year, the Thanksgiving feast cost more than last year because President Trump’s economic policies are driving up the prices of groceries,” Durbin began. “The President claims the opposite, but that’s not a fact. In a social media post, President Trump said ‘Prices for a Thanksgiving Dinner is now down 25%...since 2024…AFFORDABILITY is a Republican Stronghold.’”
“Does the President of the United States actually have any conversation with families who are shopping for groceries? Here’s the truth: costs are through the roof because of President Trump and his MAGA policies. The American people know too. Recent polling from none other than Fox News shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans blame President Trump for higher prices,” Durbin said.
Durbin underscored the impact these rising prices have on Illinoisans by sharing stories of constituents, Tria and Esther, from Chicago.
“After experiencing the sticker shock at a South Loop grocery store, she [Tria] said, ‘No matter if it’s organic or if it’s regular, it’s still going to be an arm and a leg for it. It’s like you’re spending your soul on groceries,’” Durbin said. “Ester said, ‘A loaf of bread costs us $4, and it looks like it’s getting smaller.”
The Trump Administration’s disastrous economic policies, from slashing the SNAP program, attacking immigrant workers, and erratically implementing tariffs on critical U.S. trading partners, has only fueled the affordability crisis. Americans are seeing the effects of these policies at the grocery store as the cost of orange juice is up 29 percent; ground beef is up nearly 14 percent; and coffee is 26 percent more compared to last year.
“The struggle has been exacerbated for several reasons… One of them being the President’s massive cuts to the SNAP program in his ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ that will reduce or eliminate food assistance for more than 22 million families. This President gives 20 billion bucks to Argentina but can’t find the money for an American citizen,” Durbin said.
“Another is the Administration’s attacks on immigrant workers, which is fueling a labor shortage, hurting farmers in Illinois and across the nation who are already struggling and driving up prices on the products that they grow. Even President Trump’s own Labor Department agrees, saying his war on immigrant workers is ‘threatening the stability of domestic food production and prices,’” Durbin said.
Durbin also emphasized that these tariffs are pushing China to purchase soybeans from South America.
“Farmers in my state are great men and women… They’re scared to death. They see China stopping purchases of soybeans. Why is that important? Illinois is the number one soybean-producing state in the United States, and it’s a major cash crop for farms all across the country. When China stops buying, what do we do? Unfortunately, our buyers, like China, turn to other countries, and they use those countries as sources when they used to rely on us. That worries these farmers,” Durbin continued.
In a feeble attempt to address the affordability crisis, President Trump released a lackluster economic plan that dialed back the tariffs that he trumpeted as a core tenant of his “Make America Great Again” agenda.
“We are paying for Donald Trump’s failed economic agenda. And the President recognizes this too. That’s why, a few weeks ago, he watered down his own economic proposal when he suspended certain tariffs on bananas, coffee, beef, and clothing… Why backtrack? Because he knows that the voters and consumers are fed with up rising costs and place the blame, by a factor of 2 to 1, at his feet… The President sees the writing on the wall. He’s scrambling to undo the damage he’s caused,” Durbin said.
Durbin then pointed toward the rising costs of utility bills, explaining that despite his promises while running for office, President Trump has slashed critical tax credits implemented by the Inflation Reduction Act that helped Americans manage their utility costs.
“The damage goes beyond food prices. Thanks to this President, Americans are now confronting higher utility bills,” Durbin continued. “On average, Illinois households are paying more than $1,500 annually for lights and heat in their home—up more than 15 percent from last year.”
“[It’s] cause and effect. Under President Biden and with the support of a Democratic Congress, we signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act. This historic law provided tax credits to help households and businesses install energy efficient windows, insulation, HVAC, and solar panels to lower their bills…Earlier this year, President Trump and congressional Republicans scrapped these credits for solar energy with their so-called ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’” Durbin said. “And they went even further, eliminating incentives for wind and solar projects, meaning fewer jobs and less power to the grid.”
“Just like SNAP cuts, Trump’s energy policies harm those already struggling the most. One example? His budget proposal calls to eliminate LIHEAP – a program that helps millions of low-income Americans pay their energy bills on time,” Durbin said.
Durbin concluded his remarks by calling on President Trump to abandon his disastrous policies that are costing American families thousands of dollars.
“The American people see right through Donald Trump’s scheme. And they know that the sole reason they are facing higher prices is because of his policies. While Republicans ignore high costs at their own peril, Democrats are still going to keep fighting to lower costs for the American people,” Durbin concluded his remarks.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
-30-