Across the state, families are paying more for gas, groceries, health care, transportation, housing, and everyday essentials. These rising costs are not happening by accident. Decisions made in Washington over the past year are making life more expensive for Nebraskans, and families are being forced to pay the price.

From tariffs that raise the cost of basic goods, to the war in Iran driving up gas prices, to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals and increase medical bills, Nebraska families deserve to know what is happening, why it’s happening, and what their representatives in DC are doing to bring down our bills.

Number of jobs lost in America due to tariffs³

Tariffs have been imposed on essential goods, leading to significant price hikes for everyday items. Car prices are also on the rise, making it challenging for families to afford reliable transportation. The housing market is affected as well, as tariffs on wood and furniture are driving soaring construction costs. The Senate had a chance to reverse these tariffs, but it failed by one vote. Senators Ricketts and Fischer voted to keep the tariffs.⁴ 

The tariffs don’t just hurt Americans at the till, they cost Americans jobs. A recent report by the Advancing American Freedom Foundation found that “tariffs resulted in up to 1 million fewer jobs nationwide.” Manufacturing “lost roughly 75,000 positions during the policy's first year, or about 6,250 jobs per month.”⁵

The war in Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the busiest oil trade route in the world for three months and counting. That’s why gas prices are rising.

The cost of gas in Nebraska has risen almost 60% since the start of the year.⁶ 

But it doesn’t just hurt at the pump. The cost of fertilizer, a byproduct of natural gas, has skyrocketed. 70% of farmers can’t afford what they need to fully fertilize their farms. Nebraska family farmers are spending as much as $50,000 more for fertilizer than they had been. Nebraska farmers are being hurt, and the prices at the grocery store are higher anyway. Everyone loses.

Recent health care cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill have hurt rural hospitals, clinics, and practitioners. Rural hospitals have shut down or reduced their quality of care as a result.

For rural Nebraskans, a hospital closure can mean longer drives for emergency care, fewer local health care options, and greater uncertainty when families need help the most.

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¹ Source: Gas Buddy $2.534/gal avg 1/1/26, $4.005/gal avg 6/1/26
² https://www.fb.org/market-intel/farm-bureau-survey-reveals-real-impact-of-fertilizer-availability-and-price 
³ https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-bet-tariffs-would-bring-back-american-factory-jobs-new-report-says-didnt-work.amp  
⁴ https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/119-2025/s225  
⁵ https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-bet-tariffs-would-bring-back-american-factory-jobs-new-report-says-didnt-work.amp  
⁶ Source: Gas Buddy, $2.534/gal avg 1/1/26, $4.005/gal avg 6/1/26  

Stay informed and engaged. Visit our website regularly for updates on how these economic changes are affecting Nebraskans. We encourage you to explore our resources, share your experiences, and join us in advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of our community.

Start by signing our petition to tell our elected representatives to prioritize policies that lower the cost of living for families across our state.