Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the lead Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, is taking aim at what she calls a “reckless” economic agenda that is driving up the cost of living for everyday Americans. During a recent committee markup, Waters criticized a series of deregulatory bills, arguing they do nothing to lower prices at the grocery store or the gas pump.
Prioritizing politics over pockets
Waters highlighted the strain families are facing under current administration policies, specifically pointing to the impact of tariffs and escalating energy costs. She argued that instead of addressing these burdens, the proposed legislation risks further inflating prices for retirement savings, college preparation, and even basic commodities. In a pointed moment, she called out efforts that could impact the price of seafood, stating, “Republicans want to play around with the price of shrimp.”
Modernizing national defense
While critical of the deregulatory push, Waters did find common ground on the reauthorization of the Defense Production Act (DPA). She noted that Democrats have worked across the aisle to modernize the DPA with new guardrails to ensure it remains focused on the public good—such as boosting production of medical supplies and critical minerals—rather than being used for political surveillance or other abuses.
Fighting for the small business owner
The Congresswoman also voiced concerns for small business owners who are being squeezed by rising costs and the threat of scams. She argued that the current legislative path strips away transparency and opens the door to risky trading, leaving entrepreneurs without the legal resources to navigate these new dangers. “We should be passing legislation that keeps markets fair so entrepreneurs succeed on hard work, not scams,” Waters said, pledging that Committee Democrats will continue to push for solutions that truly reduce costs for the American people.
