Durbin Condemns President Trump’s Inaction During Affordability Crisis

June 17, 2026 Durbin Condemns President Trump’s Inaction During Affordability Crisis Durbin: “In my home state of Illinois, the average household has had to spend $3,400 more on goods and services under President Trump, despite his campaign pledge to lower costs on ‘Day One.’” WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor condemning the Trump Administration for prioritizing policies—like tariffs, cuts to Medicaid, and a war of choice in Iran—over helping struggling American families make ends meet. Under President Trump, inflation has hit a three-year high, and Americans are feeling those price hikes at the grocery store and the gas pump. “Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported what Americans already know: inflation is at a three-year high, marking the second straight month inflation outpaced wage growth. Rising energy costs are crushing American families, and their dollar simply doesn’t stretch as far anymore,” Durbin began. According to a new report released by the Joint Economic Committee Democrats, Illinois families have spent $815 more on housing costs; $310 more on groceries in President Trump’s first year as compared to 2024; and more than $350 more on gas since the start of the Iran war. “In my home state of Illinois, the average household has had to spend $3,400 more on goods and services during President Trump’s second term despite the President’s campaign pledge to lower costs on ‘Day One,’” Durbin said. “What is the President’s official response? ‘I love the inflation.’” While congressional Republicans have been focused on greenlighting the President’s cruel mass deportation campaign and slashing Americans’ health care in order to provide billionaires with tax cuts, Senate Democrats have offered repeated proposals to tackle the affordability crisis, address the housing shortage, and improve health care coverage for Americans. “During the vote-a-rama earlier this month on the President’s mass deportation funding bill, Senate Democrats offered numerous amendments to address this affordability crisis, which the President barely acknowledges. Senate Democrats offered a proposal that would fund the largest federal grant program to create more affordable housing. We put forth a measure that would investigate health insurance companies that are denying patients the care they need,” Durbin said. “At all these opportunities, too many Republicans refused to join us. When will the Republican Party join the Democrats in the Senate to provide relief to struggling families in their own home states? Only time will tell,” Durbin continued. Durbin concluded his speech by reiterating his commitment to lowering the cost of living for American families. “Senate Democrats will continue to put forward legislation to help families with the rising cost of gasoline, groceries, housing, child and health care. We will put Republicans on the record. I hope they’ll join us in a bipartisan effort to give American families real relief,” Durbin concluded his speech. Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here . Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here . Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations. -30- Print Email Share Tweet