WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) are sounding the alarm about how middle-class workers in America will face higher costs because of President Trump's economic policies, while the uber wealthy (the top 0.1% of earners) get a massive six-figure windfall.
A new report released this week by the Joint Economic Committee Minority found that the combination of Trump’s reckless tariffs and the Republican budget bill will cost the average middle-class American hundreds of dollars next year, while the wealthiest Americans will net a tax break of nearly $350,000.
“Trump’s disastrous tariff policy, the uncertainty he’s injecting into the economy, and deficit-busting tax cuts for the wealthy are all working together to drive up prices for hardworking Arizonans,” said Rep. Stanton. “Teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other middle-class workers earn every dollar in their paychecks. The last thing they need is a president and an overreaching federal government rigging the system to transfer even more wealth to the ultra-wealthy.”
“Arizonans are already feeling the strain of rising costs. Now, Donald Trump and Republicans want to hike up costs even more, all to give massive tax breaks to billionaires,” said Sen. Kelly. “That couldn’t be more backwards. We should be cutting costs for working families, and making it easier for the cops, firefighters, teachers and others who serve our communities to get ahead.”
The full report can be found HERE.
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Cost teachers $490 next year: Grade school teachers will lose nearly $500 in 2026 from the combined impact of Republican tax and tariff policies;
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Cost firefighters and truck drivers $470 next year: Both firefighters and heavy truck drivers will lose about $470 next year under the Republican plans;
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Cost police officers $250 next year: Police officers will lose about $250 next year under the Republican plans;
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Meanwhile, the top 0.1% would see a $350,000 windfall: Meanwhile, the typical earner at the very top of the income ladder will receive a net tax break of $348,500 in 2026, even after accounting for tariff impacts;
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Widespread impact on working families: The analysis shows that workers across essential middle-class jobs will all face higher costs under the Republican plans.
Stanton is leading a resolution to terminate Trump’s unlawful use of “emergency” authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which he has used to justify tariffs based on a fabricated national emergency. In May, after House Republicans blocked consideration of his resolution, Stanton introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor.