Floor SpeechUrgent2026-05-14

AMERICANS ARE PAYING THE PRICE

ImmigrationHealthcareClimateForeign PolicyTradeInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-05-14, Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44) delivered a floor speech titled "AMERICANS ARE PAYING THE PRICE" in the House.

Full Text

AMERICANS ARE PAYING THE PRICE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [House] [Page H3465] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMERICANS ARE PAYING THE PRICE (Ms. Barragan of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, do you know what the price of a gallon of gasoline costs today? It is too much. In Toledo, Ohio, it is $4.56. In Gainesville, Florida, it is $4.43. In Salt Lake City, Utah, it is $4.57. That is too expensive. Do you know what President Trump said about it? He basically said that it is tough luck. He said that he doesn't think about Americans' financial situation. His priorities make that clear. Do you know what is a priority for Trump and Republicans? It is billions of your tax dollars to fund a fancy ballroom for Trump and his billionaire buddies, while at the same time giving ICE $70 billion to continue terrorizing our communities. What Americans need right now is relief from higher costs. Gas is more expensive; groceries are more expensive; healthcare is more expensive, all because of choices made by Trump and Republicans. Trump and Republicans have taxed Americans thousands of dollars a year on everyday items with their tariffs on items like phones, soup, and shoes, and cut billions of dollars in programs that would help make healthcare more accessible. The pain that Americans felt was not enough for Trump and Republicans. As costs were already rising, Donald Trump launched us into this reckless war of choice on Iran that has skyrocketed gas prices. That pain is felt by every American. As of Monday this week, the average price of gas was $4.52 a gallon. That is a parent deciding whether to fill the tank or buy groceries. That is a worker wondering if they can afford the commute to their job. Everywhere I go--in townhalls, community events, and neighborhood meetings--I hear the same thing: Congresswoman, prices are too high. We can't keep up. People are frustrated. Trump promised to lower costs and end foreign wars. He lied. The American people are paying the price, and Trump says their pain is ``worth it.'' In my district, Marianna, a Wilmington resident, thinks twice before using her car. Why? She is afraid that she can't afford the price of gas. She now relies on online shopping just to get what she needs so that she doesn't have to use gas to drive to a store. Even Amazon online buying is costing consumers more because of higher fuel costs. David, a small business owner of a local trucking company, has jumped back into driving his trucks to make ends meet because he can't afford to hire another driver. While families are struggling, Big Oil companies are cashing in record profits, windfalls built on people struggling. If oil companies are making billions off of a crisis, then working families deserve a return for their money. Instead of investing in solutions, the Trump administration has cut them. They have cut support for electric vehicles, cut funding for public transit, and cut funding for clean energy sources that would give people a choice. Yet, that is backward. We need to invest in affordable, clean energy of the future so that families aren't stuck riding this roller coaster every time oil prices spike. President Trump chose this path, and Republicans backed it. Big Oil is profiting from it. Meanwhile, the American people are left holding the bill. That is unacceptable. We need relief now, and we need to end the war to bring prices down. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fong). Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. ____________________

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AMERICANS ARE PAYING THE PRICE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [House] [Page H3465] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMERICANS ARE PAYING THE PRICE (Ms. Barragan of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, do you know what the price of a gallon of gasoline costs today? It is too much. In Toledo, Ohio, it is $4.56. In Gainesville, Florida, it is $4.43. In Salt Lake City, Utah, it is $4.57. That is too expensive. Do you know what President Trump said about it? He basically said that it is tough luck. He said that he doesn't think about Americans' financial situation. His priorities make that clear. Do you know what is a priority for Trump and Republicans? It is billions of your tax dollars to fund a fancy ballroom for Trump and his billionaire buddies, while at the same time giving ICE $70 billion to continue terrorizing our communities. What Americans need right now is relief from higher costs. Gas is more expensive; groceries are more expensive; healthcare is more expensive, all because of choices made by Trump and Republicans. Trump and Republicans have taxed Americans thousands of dollars a year on everyday items with their tariffs on items like phones, soup, and shoes, and cut billions of dollars in programs that would help make healthcare more accessible. The pain that Americans felt was not enough for Trump and Republicans. As costs were already rising, Donald Trump launched us into this reckless war of choice on Iran that has skyrocketed gas prices. That pain is felt by every American. As of Monday this week, the average price of gas was $4.52 a gallon. That is a parent deciding whether to fill the tank or buy groceries. That is a worker wondering if they can afford the commute to their job. Everywhere I go--in townhalls, community events, and neighborhood meetings--I hear the same thing: Congresswoman, prices are too high. We can't keep up. People are frustrated. Trump promised to lower costs and end foreign wars. He lied. The American people are paying the price, and Trump says their pain is ``worth it.'' In my district, Marianna, a Wilmington resident, thinks twice before using her car. Why? She is afraid that she can't afford the price of gas. She now relies on online shopping just to get what she needs so that she doesn't have to use gas to drive to a store. Even Amazon online buying is costing consumers more because of higher fuel costs. David, a small business owner of a local trucking company, has jumped back into driving his trucks to make ends meet because he can't afford to hire another driver. While families are struggling, Big Oil companies are cashing in record profits, windfalls built on people struggling. If oil companies are making billions off of a crisis, then working families deserve a return for their money. Instead of investing in solutions, the Trump administration has cut them. They have cut support for electric vehicles, cut funding for public transit, and cut funding for clean energy sources that would give people a choice. Yet, that is backward. We need to invest in affordable, clean energy of the future so that families aren't stuck riding this roller coaster every time oil prices spike. President Trump chose this path, and Republicans backed it. Big Oil is profiting from it. Meanwhile, the American people are left holding the bill. That is unacceptable. We need relief now, and we need to end the war to bring prices down. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fong). Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. ____________________