Letter to Democratic Colleagues - Pelosi Dear Colleague on Democrats' Fight to Lower the Cost of Living

Letter

Dear Democratic Colleague,

The upcoming election will be decided at the kitchen table, as America's families determine who they trust to fight for them in this challenging moment. That is why we must communicate a clear, convincing message on why families are experiencing higher prices, what House Democrats have done to ease that burden, and what a future Democratic Majority will do to further drive down the cost of living.

Two years ago, a deadly virus that was mismanaged by Republicans in power wreaked havoc on our economy: stealing jobs, shuttering small businesses, strangling supply chains. Putin's unjustified war against Ukraine has roiled energy markets and supply chains. Greedy corporations and special interests have sought to take advantage of the crisis: stealing from families by raising prices to obscene levels. The result is a global scourge of inflation -- and while other nations are experiencing much worse inflation, we're all feeling the sting of higher prices here at home.

Long before global inflation hit the kitchen table, Democrats have been laser-focused on lowering the cost of living for America's working families. With the election of President Biden and Democratic Majorities in Congress, we have sparked a record-setting jobs recovery: creating 10 million new good-paying jobs and ensuring that, right now, more families have the dignity and security of a regular paycheck. And at the same time, we have enacted landmark laws to make progress toward lowering the cost of living:

Inflation Reduction Act: slashing the cost of prescription drugs, locking in lower health care premiums, cutting energy bills and reducing the deficit -- while ensuring it's fully paid for by making the wealthiest few and big corporations pay their fair share. Every single Republican, House and Senate, voted No.
American Rescue Plan: lowering health care costs, extending needed unemployment benefits and delivering a vital lifeline in the Child Tax Credit. Again, every single Republican voted No.
Infrastructure Law: putting America's back to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, ports and water systems -- which will cut commute times, save families on car repairs and bring down transit costs. 200 House Republicans voted No.
CHIPS and Science Act: reinvigorating American semiconductor manufacturing, strengthening supply chains and investing in innovation. 187 House Republicans voted No.
But we know more must be done to lower the cost of living for America's working families. Our House-passed investments in family and medical leave, Child Tax Credit, child care, home health care, universal pre-K and affordable housing would bring down the costs of the biggest line items in families' budgets and give them more breathing room. At the same time, House Democrats have passed the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act to take on corporate greed, and the Lower Food & Fuel Costs Act to combat price gouging at the gas pump and in the grocery aisle. All of these measures were overwhelmingly opposed by House Republicans, and they are currently being blocked by Senate Republicans. Enacting them into law is a top priority for a Democratic Majority in the next Congress.

Thanks to Democrats' bold actions, inflation will subside -- but Republicans' shameful votes against bringing down the cost of living are forever etched in stone.

Extreme MAGA Republicans have no record of lowering costs, no agenda to fight inflation, and no interest in fighting for working families -- because they are deep in the pocket of the ultra-rich donors and big corporations who fill their campaign coffers. Instead, their alarming agenda would make inflation worse. According to the Wall Street Journal, Republicans are plotting to align with Big Pharma to repeal lower prescription drug costs, which would send the cost of living soaring. And disturbingly, Republicans are openly threatening to use the debt limit to slash Social Security and Medicare, playing political games with our seniors' futures.

The contrast is crystal clear: while Republicans are beholden to special interests, Democrats have taken them on -- and triumphed -- on behalf of America's working families. And we will continue our laser-focused fight to lower the cost of living, because Democrats put People Over Politics: lower costs, better-paying jobs and safer communities.

Thank you for your continued leadership to build brighter, fairer future for all of America's families.

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