- Grocery prices up 15% since 2023, hitting decade-high inflation levels
- Proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods could raise energy costs by 22%
- Social Security trust fund projected to deplete by 2033 without reforms
Senator Elissa Slotkin’s Democratic response to President Trump’s address highlighted growing concerns about economic policies failing to address core consumer struggles. Speaking from Michigan – a state experiencing 6.8% annual food price increases – Slotkin emphasized how middle-class families now spend 35% of their income on basic necessities, the highest percentage since 2008.
The proposed tariffs on Canadian lumber and automotive parts threaten to compound existing challenges. A regional analysis shows Michigan’s auto parts manufacturers could face $2.4 billion in additional material costs annually, potentially eliminating 8,000 local jobs. This comes as home prices in Rust Belt states have risen 18% year-over-year, outpacing wage growth by nearly 3:1.
Slotkin warned that the administration’s approach to healthcare funding creates hidden risks. Industry analysts project prescription drug costs could rise 12-15% if current subsidy structures change, disproportionately affecting seniors on fixed incomes. The senator cited a Detroit case study where Medicare recipients already pay 28% more for diabetes medications than the national average.
The critique extended to fiscal responsibility, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating current policies would add $9 trillion to the national debt by 2035. Slotkin contrasted this with the 1990s deficit reduction model that maintained Social Security solvency while investing in infrastructure – a approach she argues modern policymakers should emulate.
Recent workforce disruptions at federal agencies drew particular scrutiny. The Department of Government Efficiency’s controversial restructuring eliminated 14,000 positions in February 2025 alone, only to rehire 2,400 workers three weeks later. This “chaotic governance,” as Slotkin described it, coincides with troubling cybersecurity developments involving private tech contractors accessing sensitive citizen data.
Looking globally, the senator highlighted how abrupt policy shifts strain international relationships. The Oval Office confrontation with Ukraine’s leadership contrasted sharply with historical bipartisan consensus on European alliances. Defense experts warn such incidents could undermine NATO cohesion at a time when 72% of member nations are increasing military spending.
Slotkin closed with a call for civic engagement, urging voters to monitor legislative actions impacting kitchen-table economics. Her message resonated in Michigan communities where 41% of residents report skipping medical care due to costs – a statistic that’s doubled since 2020. As the 2026 midterms approach, these economic realities may define the next policy battles in Washington.