By Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07)
Today, our nation is gripped by instability and unease. Each day delivers a new headline that stirs confusion and frustration, as we lurch from one crisis to the next. Living in such uncertain times – and under such a misguided administration – it is more important than ever to re-affirm our core values. More than pointing out this administration’s failures, we must make clear where our priorities lie and how we plan to build a stronger, safer, more prosperous country. Ensuring that Americans can afford a decent standard of living must remain at the very top of our priority list.
More than anything, Americans want the chance to pursue their dreams, thrive in their careers and provide for their families. Why, then, has the Federal minimum wage been frozen at the insultingly low figure of $7.25 per hour for over 15 years? In 2009, the median price of a home was $210,000. Today, that figure has nearly doubled to more than $410,000. How can we expect young Americans to build their futures and start their own families when the prospect of home ownership is slipping further out of reach? That is why I support and cosponsor the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, which would raise the minimum wage to $17 by 2030. In the richest country on God’s green earth, there is simply no excuse to pay our people anything less than a living wage.
In addition to wages and housing prices, Americans across our country are feeling pressure every time they visit the grocery store, with more than 50% of Americans reporting that the cost of groceries is a major source of stress. Food prices have risen 3 percent over the last year, and Trump’s tariff regime will only cause those prices to continue climbing. The administration’s cancellation of the Local Food for Schools (LFS) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Programs cut more than $1 billion in funding that would have purchased local produce for schools and foodbanks across the country, hurting both our farmers and our vulnerable, hungry populations. To support those vulnerable friends and neighbors, I’m proud to support and cosponsor the Food Deserts Act, which would provide loans to help grocery stores open and thrive in underserved communities.
For many families, the rising cost of healthcare is as pressing as the cost of food and housing. The Congressional Budget Office warns that changes made in the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” will lead to some 10 million Americans losing their coverage over the next decade. And if MAGA Republicans fail to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies that expire this year, out-of-pocket premium costs for ACA marketplace enrollees will rise by 75 percent on average. No American should have to worry that they are one illness away from financial ruin.
For millions of young Americans, the dream of a college education and the upward mobility that it promises now comes with the nightmare of a lifelong burden of debt. Unfortunately, President Trump has declared war on higher education, slashing federal funding and driving away the international students that bolster university coffers. Even community colleges are grappling with vanishing grants, eliminated programs and looming budget shortfalls as state governments struggle with reduced federal funding.
The challenges that we face are daunting – from stagnant wages and soaring housing prices to unaffordable healthcare, higher education and retirement – but they are far from insurmountable. With principled leadership and a commitment to prioritizing the needs of the people, we can rally the public and build a tomorrow where every American has the chance to realize their full potential and pursue their own American Dream.