As Republicans Choose Funding For Trump’s Ballroom And Rogue ICE Forces Over Cost Relief For Families, Senate Democrats Take Fight For Cost-Cutting Agenda Nationwide
Washington, D.C. –– As costs skyrocket across the country, Republicans have proven time and again that they are happy to cut programs for working families and drive up costs for Americans—all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Americans are getting crushed by higher prices on everything from gas to groceries and health care to housing, but Republicans are more focused on pouring additional taxpayer money into ICE and Trump’s monuments to himself than they are on providing cost relief to families. Last week, Senate Democrats returned to their home states to hear from Americans getting pummeled by Republicans’ affordability crisis and to make clear how Democrats are using every tool available to fight for families.
As gas prices surge toward record highs and families are forced to choose between their health care and putting food on their tables, Republicans unveiled the text for their $72 billion budget reconciliation bill. While offering nothing to alleviate Americans’ cost-of-living crisis, Republicans are trying to pump tens of billions more taxpayer dollars into ICE and Border Patrol and $1 billion into Trump’s ballroom. Senate Democrats traveled the country to make clear how they are standing up for the American people while Republicans are bending the knee to Trump.
Across The Country, Senate Democrats Fight To Lower Costs For American Families
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Buffalo Toronto Public Media - Schumer bill seeks to lower meat costs by taking aim at ‘meatpacking monopolies’ “Senator Chuck Schumer visited a Niagara Falls meat shop Monday morning, where he purchased some of their products. But first, he came to talk about the rising costs of meats such as those sold there. He said only a handful of companies — Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef — dominate the meat production market, calling the food system rigged in favor of corporate monopolies. “There's a huge monopoly in the meat and pork industries that raises prices, hurts consumers, and there's no competition,” said Schumer, standing outside Niagara Sausage Company on Lockport Road. “Four companies control 85% of the beef market. Four companies control 67% of the pork market. Four companies control 60% of the chicken market."” [Buffalo Toronto Public Media, 05/04/26]
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
WEAU - Sen. Baldwin visits Eau Claire to address housing crisis. “U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin visited Eau Claire to highlight efforts to address the housing crisis in Wisconsin. Baldwin’s visit comes after the senate passed the 21st Century Road to Housing Act with bi-partisan support. The legislation will help bring down housing costs and rein in corporate landlords from buying single-family homes. Baldwin says out of state companies are not maintaining the properties they own here in the badger state and still raising rent. “So, if you have a neighborhood where dozens, if not hundreds, of homes have been bought up like that, it doesn’t feel like a neighborhood anymore. It’s very transient. The property owners aren’t taking care of the property. And it can devastate neighborhoods. It can devastate communities. So, we think there should be a limit on how many homes a private equity or big corporation investor can own,” said Baldwin. Baldwin adds this issue is not unique to Wisconsin. It’s happening across the nation.” [WEAU, 05/06/26]
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Las Vegas Sun - Small-business owners detail financial strain at roundtable with Cortez Masto. “Co-founder Kristen Corral says costs have climbed across the board, from napkins to limes and avocados, while foot traffic has thinned. The war in Iran, which has pushed gas and jet fuel prices higher, could keep even more people home in the months ahead, potentially prolonging the restaurant’s struggles, she said. Corral joined other Arts District small-business owners Thursday at a roundtable with U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., to detail how ongoing tariffs and the tourism slowdown are eroding revenue and driving operating costs.’”[Las Vegas Sun, 05/07/26]
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
CBS News - Duckworth holds “Motherhood in America” policy listening session in Oak Park. [VIDEO] [CBS News, 05/09/26]
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)
ICYMI: Durbin Reveals Trump Comments About Affordable Housing. “When discussing a bill that would tackle housing affordability, Trump reportedly said, ‘no one gives a [bleep] about housing,’ insisting Republicans should pass his voter disenfranchisement bill, the SAVE America Act, instead. This Admin would rather undermine democracy than lower costs for families.” [Press Release, 05/06/2026]
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
Laconia Daily Sun - 'Dealing with headwinds that aren’t due to Mother Nature': Hassan praises farmers' resilience amid rising costs. “Rising costs, some from tariffs, of everything from fuel prices to groceries and supplies, are affecting businesses and consumers alike, including farms across the Granite State. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) toured Moulton Farm on Monday, where owner John Moulton showed her the retail market and crops, and shared how his business is dealing with the current economic climate. ‘Really, I wanted to touch base, because farmers deal with so much uncertainty as it is,’ Hassan said. ‘It’s New England, it’s the weather, it’s if you’re going to have a wide enough window for your growing season to make a profit.’” [Laconia Daily Sun, 05/06/26]
Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Source NM - US Sen. Heinrich tells NM small business leaders he’ll ‘push back against policies’ behind inflation. “U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) met with a group of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Albuquerque on Thursday to discuss how the effects of tariffs, the Iran war and rising fuel costs are increasing their cost of doing business and vowed to ‘push back against policies that don’t make sense.’ ‘It’s so frustrating to see how things are impacting people who are doing everything right and being part of the solution: Starting businesses, getting their education and building right here in the state,’ Heinrich told the group of small business leaders.” [Source NM, 05/07/26]
Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Denver Gazette - Hickenlooper hears stories on Medicaid, health costs at Denver Health. “U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper went to Denver Health on Tuesday to hear how rising health care costs and federal policy changes are affecting patients. He got an earful. Hospital staff shared stories about Medicaid patients who lost eligibility — and then a limb or their life. Dr. Stephanie Augustine, a family medicine physician, told of a patient who could not afford his medication and how his diabetes went unchecked. She didn’t see him again for several years. Instead of discussing medications or screenings, they talked about an amputation.” [Denver Gazette, 05/06/26]
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
ICYMI: [Mazie Hirono] This Illegal War is Costing Us... “Trump's illegal war is costing our country a lot more than ‘25 BILLION’ in taxpayer dollars. The true cost includes the lives of 13 U.S. servicemembers, relationships with our allies, and costs here at home to skyrocket. All because Trump ‘had a feeling...’” [Press Release, 05/06/26]
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Shore Daily News - Kaine meets with Rural Health leaders over changes to Medicaid funding. “Tim Kaine visited Eastern Shore Rural Health System on Tuesday to hear concerns about federal health care policy, including Medicaid changes, 340B prescription drug reforms, rural health funding, and workforce shortages. Kaine, who serves on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said he is gathering input from Virginia health care providers as Congress addresses the effects of the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law. That law includes new Medicaid eligibility and work-verification requirements scheduled to begin January 1, 2027, and rolled back increases to Medicaid funding enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.” [Shore Daily News, 05/06/26]
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
ICYMI: In Chandler, Kelly Meets with Veterans at John McCain VFW Post. “During the discussion, veterans and advocates shared personal stories about navigating the VA system, the growing strain on veterans’ health care services, and the importance of protecting programs that support veterans and military families. Several attendees raised concerns about staffing shortages and restructuring at the VA, long wait times for claims and care, and the need for expanded support for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. Jennifer, a military spouse, spoke about her husband, a Marine Corps veteran battling terminal service-connected cancer after serving during Desert Storm, and urged action to improve early cancer detection and screening for veterans exposed to hazardous environments.” [Press Release, 05/08/26]
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Willmar Radio - Senator Klobuchar visiting Willmar Thursday. “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will be in Western Minnesota over the next two days on a rural economy tour, where she will meet with local leaders, small business owners, and first responders in Litchfield, Willmar, Canby, Montevideo, Lake Benton, and Marshall. Her visits will include a meeting with business owners on child care shortages, and stops to meet with mayors and local leaders at local groceries, businesses, fire stations, and infrastructure projects including the Willmar Wye at Highway 23.” [Wilmar Radio, 05/07/26]
Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
Santa Fe New Mexican - Sen. Luján, local officials talk housing woes at Santa Fe forum. “While affordable housing initiatives in Santa Fe County are producing positive results, various obstacles continue to make homeownership difficult, according to speakers at a Wednesday housing affordability roundtable led by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján. Luján said after the discussion at the Santa Fe County building on Grant Avenue that it was clear from hearing the area's housing experts that changes implemented under the Trump administration have made it harder not just to build homes but for people to buy their first home.” [Santa Fe New Mexican, 05/06/26]
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
East Oregonian - Grant County residents talk education, economy at Merkley Town Hall. “Around 45 Grant County residents on May 1 discussed everything from education, the economy and healthcare with Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley. The Democrat held one of his Eastern Oregon town halls at the John Day Senior Center Attendees raised concerns about the state of public education, job availability and access to healthcare in rural communities such as John Day. A trio of graduating Grant Union seniors focused on protecting average Americans from large corporations, while others highlighted the national debt and voter ID.” [East Oregonian, 05/08/26]
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
NBC Tri Cities Yakima: Sen. Murray gets close-up view of rural healthcare challenges. “U.S. Senator Patty Murray toured Kittitas Valley Healthcare on Tuesday to get an ‘on-the-ground view’ of rural healthcare and the challenges faced by providers and patients in Central Washington. It was a bit of a wellness check, coming near the one-year anniversary of the largest healthcare cuts in history. The visit, which included a roundtable discussion with KVH leaders and staff, also followed by a few months the expiration of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Kristl Densley, Kittitas Valley Healthcare Director for Community Relations, led Murray through a walkthrough that included a stop in the hospital’s surgical services center. Murray (D-WA) paused repeatedly to talk with employees. ‘It’s busy,’ Murray said of the facility before the start of the roundtable discussion that included Kittitas Valley Healthcare CEO Jason Adler. ‘Healthcare is obviously a huge issue for everyone in the country but particularly in our rural communities,’ Murray said.” [NBC Tri Cities Yakima, 05/07/26]
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
2 News Nevada - Senator Jacky Rosen met with small business owners Wednesday – [VIDEO] [2 News Nevada, 05/06/26]
Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA)
VC Star – Schiff talks farm policy during Camarillo visit, urges SNAP cut reversal. “Schiff toured Carranza Family Farm, which is a strawberry, flower and vegetable farm on land leased from McGrath Family Farms just outside of Camarillo. He met the farmers as well as representatives of Ventura County’s biggest food bank and organizations that provide food from local farms to food banks and school. Federal funding for those food programs has been cut in recent years by Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration, and Schiff said restoring it is one of his top priorities for the new farm bill. The funding helps feed people in need, and Schiff said it also provides valuable, consistent business for smaller local farms.” [VS Star, 05/07/26]
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
WMUR - Sen. Jeanne Shaheen questions Iran war strategy as prices rise nationwide. “Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is criticizing the Trump administration's handling of the war in Iran as the conflict continues to drive up gas prices and raise concerns about broader impacts on consumers. According to AAA data, the national average price for a gallon of gas rose to $4.54, up 6 cents from the previous day. In New Hampshire, the average reached $4.48, nearly 4 cents higher than a week ago. Experts warn the rising costs could soon extend beyond the gas pump.” [WMUR, 05/06/26]
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
ICYMI: How $1 Billion Could Help Virginians Instead of Funding Trump’s Ballroom. “Following the news that Senate Republicans will try to use $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to pay for Donald Trump’s ballroom project, the offices of Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following report outlining how that funding could be used to help Virginians instead. ‘It’s absurd that Senate Republicans are asking for $1 billion dollars to fund Trump’s ballroom after making historic cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, and refusing to extend healthcare tax credits,’ said the Senators. ‘To make matters worse, Trump’s war of choice is causing costs on groceries, gas, and consumer goods to soar. While Americans are struggling to make ends meet, Trump and Senate Republicans are focused on using tax dollars to build a ballroom.’” [Press Release, 05/07/26]
Senator Peter Welch (D-VT)
WCAX - Welch hears from food shelf staff about impact of rising costs. “Vermont Sen. Peter Welch visited the Hope Food Shelf in Middlebury on Wednesday to talk to staff and volunteers about what they’ve seen as the cost of living rises. While the shelves look stocked now, staffers told the Democrat that they get low quickly. One volunteer said that many who have come in recently have never been to a food pantry before. ‘They say things like, “I never thought I’d have to be here,” “I hate to take food away from anyone else,” and we always say there’s plenty for everyone, we’re glad you’re here,’ said Susan Prager, a volunteer.” [WCAX, 05/06/26]
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