Rep. McClellan: “The cost of groceries, gas, rent, healthcare, housing, and seemingly everything is spiraling out of control.”
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Defend America Action is releasing a new report highlighting the devastating affordability crisis Donald Trump and Republicans have created for Virginia.
Defend America Action also hosted a press call this afternoon with U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan, Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola, State Delegate Nadarius Clark, and Called to Justice Executive Director Christina Rivera to discuss that affordability crisis and its consequences for Virginians.
“Today, we have seen the American Dream drift further and further out of reach for millions who are now forced to make impossible choices between paying their bills, feeding their families, getting their regular checkups, and more,” said U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan. “Our country and our commonwealth continue to face a cost of living crisis where the cost of groceries, gas, rent, healthcare, housing, and seemingly everything is spiraling out of control.”
“Individuals with families and children are going to be incredibly impacted by these cuts in a very hurtful way. Half of our recipients on SNAP are children, and now they’re going to face food insecurity,” said State Senator Barbara Favola. “I also chair the Joint Commission on Healthcare, and we issued a report about eight weeks ago, and what we found is there are thirteen hospitals in the rural pockets of our state at risk of closing or substantially reducing their services.”
“We’re already seeing inflation at the grocery store, we’re already seeing inflation at the gas pumps. We’re seeing the attacks on our medical system here in the 84th district,” said State Delegate Nadarius Clark. “People are feeling it here all across Virginia, whether it’s at the port, whether it’s at the hospital, where it’s at the the grocery store, or whether it’s at the gas station, we’re feeling it on all parts.”
“In 2026, I had to pay $14,000 more for health insurance, and I don’t have that sitting around. It’s not in the cushions in the couch. That’s just not reasonable for anybody who is relying on the ACA for health care,” said Christina Rivera, Executive Director of Called to Justice. “We’re facing higher health care premiums, higher gas costs, higher food costs, and higher utility costs. There’s nowhere to give. We can only work so many jobs.”
A recording of the press call is available here. Defend America Action’s Virginia affordability report is available here.
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