Today, over a dozen state legislators from Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Michigan, Iowa, and Colorado released a report along with Defend America Action sounding the alarm on skyrocketing food prices as families begin to pack up and hit the road for Thanksgiving. Americans across the country are being forced to cut corners, as nearly half plan to trade turkey for cheaper alternatives like chicken, one in ten don’t plan on serving a main protein, nearly a quarter plan on cooking fewer desserts or cutting portion sizes, and sixteen percent are shifting from name brands to store labels. The big culprit behind all of this: Donald Trump’s tariffs. Addressing these rising costs and Trump’s warped priorities, the legislators note that Americans are facing these stressors at the same time Trump’s friends and allies around the world are flush with cash:
“While Trump and Republicans spend billions bailing out their allies and handing out tax breaks to billionaires, Americans are facing higher prices with fewer resources. Many Americans will find themselves clipping coupons, cutting costs, and waiting in long lines instead of settling in for a relaxing holiday with family and friends.”
The report goes on to note that the overall price of a Thanksgiving meal has risen more than 7% year-over-year, more than twice as fast as inflation. This is just the latest episode in a series of affordability crises that are devastating working families nationwide, as housing, groceries, health care, and energy costs all surge. Trump and Republicans’ economic agenda has richly rewarded big corporations and the ultra-wealthy, and the rest of us are footing the bill.
A full copy of the report can be found here. The names of those signing can be found below.
Rep. Flavia DeBrito (Maine)
Rep. Luz Bay (New Hampshire)
Rep. Wendy Thomas (New Hampshire)
Rep. Jessica LaMontagne (New Hampshire)
Rep. Dr. Anna Eskamani (Florida)
Del. Teresa Woorman (Maryland)
Rep. Arvind Venkat (Pennsylvania)
Rep. Dan Bergeron (New Hampshire)
Sen. Sara Kyle (Tennessee)
Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (Michigan)
Rep. Timothy Horrigan (New Hampshire)
Sen. Art Staed (Iowa)
Sen. Cathy Kipp (Colorado)
Rep. Marc Plamondon (New Hampshire)
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