U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, released a new report Sunday examining the affordability challenges facing families in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. The report argues that President Donald Trump’s economic policies and congressional Republicans’ legislative agenda have increased the cost of everyday essentials and threatened thousands of Alabamians’ access to health care and food assistance.
The report came as House Democrats unveiled their “Fighting for an Affordable America Agenda.” According to Sewell’s news release, the agenda focuses on lowering the cost of groceries, gasoline and housing; providing affordable health care; and fighting corruption.
The report says Alabama families are paying an average of $2,700 more for basic living expenses and families in the 7th District now spend an average of $1,110 a month on groceries. It projects that about 70,000 district residents will face higher health insurance costs because enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired.
The report also says the average Alabama household has paid $686 more for gasoline since Trump began the war in Iran and that more than 81,800 Alabamians have lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits under Republicans’ budget law.
“One hundred days before Election Day, Alabama families deserve to know the truth about who is driving up their costs,” Sewell said. “President Trump promised to lower prices on Day One. Instead, families across Alabama’s 7th District are paying more for groceries, housing, electricity, gas, and healthcare while Republicans in Congress have chosen to cut Medicaid and food assistance to help pay for tax breaks for billionaires.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Sewell said. “House Democrats are fighting for an Affordable America by lowering the cost of groceries, gas, and housing, making healthcare more affordable, and holding corporations accountable when they exploit consumers and drive up prices. Alabama families deserve an economy that works for them—not just the wealthy and well-connected.”
The report highlights several economic challenges facing Alabama families:
- Alabama families are paying an average of $2,700 more for basic living expenses under Trump and congressional Republicans.
- Families in the 7th District paid an average of $233 more for electricity in 2025.
- The average monthly grocery bill in the district has reached $1,110.
- The average Alabama household has paid $686 more for gasoline since the war in Iran began.
- The average annual cost of child care for two children in Alabama has climbed to $16,640.
- About 24,353 people in the 7th District are projected to lose health coverage because of Republican cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
- More than 81,800 Alabamians have lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
- More than 20,000 individuals and families in Alabama filed for bankruptcy in 2025, a 6.7 percent increase from the previous year.
The full report, “The Affordability Crisis in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District: How President Trump and Congressional Republicans Are Driving Up Costs for Alabama Families,” is available online.
