Idaho families were promised stability. Lower costs. A government that works for them. More than a year into this Republican regime, what are they getting? Higher costs, chaos, and corruption.

Skyrocketing prices mean the average household is paying $5,000 more this year. Republicans in Congress stood by while Trump drove up tariffs and raised prices on everyday goods. They slashed health care tax credits. Now, 30,000 Idahoans are losing coverage because premiums are too high, and Medicaid cuts threaten tens of thousands more.

The U.S. Senate just passed a budget that does nothing to bring those costs down. Democrats offered amendment after amendment to lower the cost of health care, housing, electricity, and child care. Republicans rejected every one.

Adding insult to injury, their tax plan raised taxes on 95% of Americans to cut taxes for the richest 5%.

Chaos makes all of it worse. Government shutdowns threaten paychecks. Illegal grant cancellations force nonprofits into court just to keep their doors open. Trump’s war of choice with Iran is adding more instability. American service members have already lost their lives, and his unhinged statements only raise the risk of wider violence.

Blockades in the Strait of Hormuz are driving up the cost of gas, diesel, and fertilizer. Idahoans are now paying about $1 more per gallon than they were a year ago, while fertilizer prices have nearly doubled since March. An American Farm Bureau survey found 65% of Idaho farmers cannot afford the fertilizer they need this season.

Finally, corruption is allowing political insiders to make off like bandits. Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem used taxpayer dollars to buy a luxury jet now slated for Melania Trump. Eric Trump bragged about landing a multi-million-dollar Pentagon contract. Donald Trump is backing a Treasury-supported bailout for the United Arab Emirates after UAE royals poured $500 million into Trump family businesses. And he is suing public agencies to funnel billions in taxpayer dollars into his own pocket.

Idaho Republicans have been right there with them. Dustin Manwaring, Kelly Anthon, and Todd Lakey traveled to Mar-a-Lago for lavish meals and lobbying tied to a Trump family crypto venture. Manwaring then brought a bill that would allow Idaho taxpayer funds to buy the same crypto.

Presidential pardons are turning into a business model. Convicted criminals who defrauded Americans, enabled drug trafficking, and worse are walking free because they hired Trump-connected lobbyists.

And let’s remember Trump’s Department of Justice is still violating the law by refusing to release the full Epstein files.

Through it all, Idaho’s GOP congressional delegation stays silent. It doesn’t have to be this way. Idaho deserves leaders who will stand up, tell the truth, and fight for you.

Onward,

Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair