US Rep. Kelly Morrison Joins Freshman Democrats in Demanding Speaker Johnson Bring Legislation to the Floor to Lower Costs
May 2, 2025
Nearly half a year in, the Republican majority in Congress has not brought one single bill to the floor that would lower costs for American families
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) joined more than 30 freshman House Democrats in calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to prioritize bringing forward legislation to the House floor that lowers costs for working families, creates good-paying jobs, and improves the quality of life for all Americans. U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison is the only freshman member of the Minnesota delegation.
“I am extremely disappointed that almost half a year in, the Republican majority has not brought one single bill to the floor to lower costs for American families. Instead, they have been singularly focused on ways they can cut taxes for billionaires, and they’re paying for it by cutting Americans’ access to everything from health care to child care. It’s just plain cruel – and Minnesotans deserve better. The Republican majority in Congress needs to do their job and actually help support families and lower costs. I will keep fighting every day to make that the priority.”
Grocery prices are projected to increase over the next year, housing remains unaffordable, and it is getting harder and harder for families to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the Republican majority in Congress is advancing a budget that cuts funding for working families while giving massive tax breaks to billionaires and giant corporations, and the Trump Administration is waging a reckless and unnecessary tariff war that is raising costs on everyday items for American families and putting America’s small businesses out of business.
The Trump Administration and their Republican majority are only making life harder and more expensive for American families. Rep. Morrison has been raising the alarm bell on the Republican majority’s anti-family agenda, including:
- 80 million Americans get their health care coverage through Medicaid. 1.4 million Minnesotans – including children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities – get health care coverage through Medicaid.
- 12,000 children in Minnesota get child care and early childhood education through Head Start. More than 75% of Minnesota Head Start parents are in the workforce and rely on child care for their employment.
- Families with babies and toddlers already spend around $20,000 in the first year alone, including nearly $1,000 on baby safety gear. Tariffs on essentials like highchairs, cribs, strollers, and car seats – which are required by law in all 50 states – will only make it harder for parents to afford the basics. Rep. Morrison has called on these essential child safety products to be exempt.
Read the full letter HERE and below:
Dear Speaker Johnson,
As freshman Democratic members of the 119th Congress, we are writing to urge you to prioritize bringing forward legislation to the House floor that lowers costs for working families, creates good-paying jobs, and improves the quality of life for all Americans.
Our constituents sent us to Washington with a clear mandate: to address their everyday concerns with practical solutions that make tangible improvements in their lives. Families across our congressional districts are struggling with the rising cost of essentials including groceries, healthcare, childcare, housing, and education.
In 2025, grocery prices are projected to rise by 3.3%, above the historical average, and these increases place additional strain on household budgets, especially for low- and middle-income families. Housing affordability also remains a critical issue, and currently the United States faces a shortage of over 4.5 million homes, leading to increased housing costs and reduced workforce mobility. Additionally, 42% of households spend more than 30% of their income on housing expenses, underscoring the financial strain on American families. Instead of taking up bipartisan legislation to tackle these issues, Congress is moving in the opposite direction by advancing a reconciliation package that cuts funding for Medicaid, food assistance, and other programs that millions of Americans rely on to make ends meet.
In order for us to best serve our constituents, Congress should be considering legislation that addresses lowering consumer costs and improving quality of life. Congress has the opportunity—and responsibility—to enact meaningful policies that directly respond to the pressing issues facing American families. We believe that proposals addressing affordability, workforce development, infrastructure investments, and enhanced health care access should be priorities for this legislative session.
We urge you to prioritize these issues on the House floor so that Congress can demonstrate responsiveness to the needs of our constituents. Doing so will show the American people that Congress is capable of delivering solutions that matter, strengthening our economy, and improving the quality of life for all Americans. We stand ready to work with you and our colleagues across the aisle to deliver for the American people.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
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Issues:
Economy
Small Business
Health Care