Michigan Families Are Getting Squeezed From Every Direction And Congressmen James’ And Barrett’s Votes Have Made It Worse
Across Michigan’s 7th and 10th Congressional Districts, working families are being hit by rising costs on nearly every front. Whether it is at the gas pump, at the grocery store, on their energy bills, or in their health insurance premiums, many Michiganders are falling behind. Rather than fighting to provide relief, Congressmen Tom Barrett and John James have consistently voted for policies that are making life more expensive for the people they represent. Both voted for the Republican Tax Law, which delivered massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy while enacting historic cuts to food assistance and health care. Both have supported tariffs that are raising costs on everyday goods. On top of it all, ACA marketplace premiums in Michigan went up more than 20% on average this year, with some monthly premiums doubling. And both have refused to act on behalf of working families who are paying the price.
Michigan households are facing a relentless wave of rising costs. DTE Energy was recently approved for a rate increase of hundreds of millions of dollars despite record earnings last year. Residential electricity rates in Michigan have more than doubled over the past two decades, cuts to green energy initiatives and tariffs supported by Barrett and James are contributing to higher energy costs. At the gas pump, prices jumped 25 cents in two days. At the grocery store, food prices continue to climb, with goods like beef, coffee, and more rising.
“Every week it feels like something else gets more expensive — our electric bill goes up, groceries cost more, and now health insurance premiums have skyrocketed because Congressman Barrett voted to let our tax credits expire. I’ve witnessed families making choices no one should have to make, between filling a prescription and filling the gas tank. Barrett went to Washington and voted for a law that gave tax breaks to billionaires while cutting food assistance for families right here in Lansing who are already stretched thin. He needs to hear from the people he represents, stop raising our costs and start fighting to bring them down,” said Ashley, MI-07 constituent and Dewitt nurse.
“Congressman James talks about supporting Michigan families, but his votes tell a different story. Families across Macomb County are watching their premiums double while their grocery bills keep climbing. Our utility bills are getting higher, gas is back above $3 a gallon, and the tariffs James supported are making all of it worse.” said Joel, MI-10 resident. “The people in this district supported him because they believed he’d fight for us. Instead, he’s fighting for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. It’s time for Congressman James to give his constituents their money back and stop supporting policies that are pricing Michigan families out of their own lives,”
Michigan Families for Fair Care continues to educate residents of the 7th and 10th Congressional Districts about the real-world impact of policies supported by Congressmen Barrett and James. Our organization has launched a seven-figure accountability ad campaign featuring real Michiganders calling on their representatives to fight for lower costs before more families are priced out of their essential needs.
