Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and as Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)’ Consumer Price Index report showed inflation rising 4.2 percent over the past year and 0.5 percent in May alone, the highest annual inflation rate since 2023:

“Americans are paying more to drive to work, more to keep the lights on, more for rent, and more to feed their families. Today's inflation report is yet another painful reminder that American families are paying the price for President Trump’s disastrous policies while the Republican-controlled Congress continues to enable him. 

“Any real wage gains have been swallowed up by higher prices. Families are working just as hard and finding that they can afford no more than they could months ago – and these higher prices are the direct result of President Trump’s choices. He imposed sweeping tariffs that economists repeatedly warned would raise costs for American consumers and forced our country into a reckless war in Iran that continues to drive up energy prices.

“And yet, my Republican colleagues in Congress seem far more interested in advancing the President's agenda than in lowering costs for the families they were elected to serve. Just yesterday, Congress approved another $70 billion for DHS while refusing to fund critical tax credits that would lower healthcare costs for American families. At the same time, Republicans remain unwilling to stop President Trump from restoring a nearly $2 billion slush fund or from pursuing tax immunity that shields himself, his family, and his businesses from being prosecuted for future financial crimes. Families watching their paychecks buy less every month have every right to ask why Congress has endless enthusiasm for funding the administration’s political priorities but cannot find the urgency to lower costs.

“Republicans in Congress should be ashamed of themselves. As working families struggle with rising costs and the President openly abuses the powers of his office for personal benefit, congressional Republicans have stood by in silence. Their abdication of responsibility is a stain on this institution, a betrayal of the American people, and a failure that will be remembered long after today's inflation report is forgotten.”