As Nebraskans continue to face rising grocery, utility, and housing costs, they also are faced with two hits to their wallets following November 1. Despite a recent court ruling and funds available to pay for food assistance, the Trump Administration is playing political games and only releasing half the usual food assistance families are expecting. In addition, as Open Enrollment begins for families enrolling in plans through the Affordable Care Act exchanges, the President is allowing tax credits to make plans more affordable expire. 

Read the op-ed HERE and see excerpts below.

Key excerpts: 

“It’s hard to keep up with every new tariff or tax that seems to hit the news — and our wallets — every other day. It’s no wonder everywhere I go in Nebraska, I hear the same thing: The cost of living is too high. Now, because of Congress’ dysfunction, things are getting worse. And after two decades of experience in economic policy, working to lower costs for Nebraska families, I am the only candidate running to represent NE-02 in Congress who has the experience to hold President Trump accountable and finally bring down costs.”

“Two more big hits are coming. First, critical food assistance is set to lapse because the government has been shut down for a month, forcing millions of American families and seniors to face the unthinkable choice between buying groceries or paying rent or utilities… As if that wasn’t enough, Trump is also pushing to skyrocket health care premiums here in Nebraska.”

“Over the course of my career as an economic policy expert, I’ve been laser-focused on how to bring down costs for Nebraska families. I fought to enhance and expand the ACA tax credits so that millions more Americans could afford insurance. But because of President Trump’s budget law, those tax credits are set to expire this year.”

“Donald Trump promised to bring down costs. He lied. These are his policies: erratic tariffs that drive up prices on everyday household goods, cuts to Medicaid that increase costs for working families trying to get by, and now a shutdown designed to raise health care costs from millions more while yanking food assistance away from kids and seniors right before the holidays. That is the basic economics of Trump’s plan for America, and he’s making it too hard for Nebraska families to build a good life.”