From NPR · · 2m
Democrats win Congress. Will they cut your grocery bill?
After sweeping midterm victories, Democrats promise to tackle high food prices, but face a Trump veto and disagreement on how to do it.
In brief
After sweeping midterm victories, Democrats promise to tackle high food prices, but face a Trump veto and disagreement on how to do it. Democrats won control of Congress on promises to lower grocery prices driven up by Trump's tariffs and the Iran war, but must navigate a hostile presidency to deliver. Originally…
Grocery prices drove voters to Democrats
High food costs were top of mind for voters heading into the midterms. Trump's tariffs and the war in Iran continued to drive up prices, straining household budgets.
Democrats sweep Congress on affordability
Democrats won control of both houses of Congress on Tuesday. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it a strong rebuke of MAGA extremism, which has made life more expensive.
“It was a tremendous victory for the American people and a strong rebuke of MAGA extremism, which has made life more expensive for everyday Americans despite their promises to lower the high cost of living on day one.”
The Trump veto problem
Democrats will tackle high prices starting in January, but President Trump remains in the Oval Office willing to use his veto pen. Senate Democrats lack a filibuster-proof majority.
Democrats plan to roll back tariffs
Democrats intend to cut grocery bills by rolling back Trump's tariffs, which raised food and drink costs and made it expensive to import machine parts and packaging.
Other causes of high food prices
The Iran war surged energy prices, making transport more expensive. Fertilizer costs grew when the Strait of Hormuz closure cut off global fertilizer trade. Trump's immigration crackdown caused farm labor shortages.
Democratic senators' other proposals
James Talarico of Texas will push back against attacks on WIC and SNAP. Adam Hamilton of Kansas supports a national ban on dynamic pricing. Roy Cooper of North Carolina vows to block food industry mergers.
Democratic governors offer state solutions
At least twenty eight states will have Democratic governors next year. Keisha Lance Bottoms proposed suspending local sales tax on groceries in Georgia. Gina Hinojosa promised to outlaw predatory pricing in Texas.
Americans want relief within six months
A Kitchen Table Project poll from September found nearly half of respondents said their most important goal was seeing grocery bills lowered within six months.
The main idea
Democrats won control of Congress on promises to lower grocery prices driven up by Trump's tariffs and the Iran war, but must navigate a hostile presidency to deliver.
