President Trump to deliver address on U.S. economy
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - President Donald Trump will travel to Pennsylvania Tuesday for an address on the U.S. economy, while a majority of Americans remain disappointed by continued high prices.
The trip comes after the White House announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers and ahead of a vote in Congress on the future of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
President Trump is prepping for a big speech on the economy in battleground Pennsylvania as voters signal they're not happy with the issue central to his election.
In a series of polls, Gallup shows just 36% of those surveyed satisfied with the president's handling of the economy.
He argues he inherited a mess.
"The Democrats cause the affordability problem, and we're the ones that are fixing it. So it's a very simple statement. They caused it, we're fixing it," Trump remarked.
On Monday the president announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers, paid for through tariff revenues and targeting prices.
"It'll help them continue their efforts to lower food prices for American families," Trump explained.
It's the latest in a series of executive actions aimed at addressing economic concerns, even as Trump has publicly downplayed the affordability crisis.
"They use the word affordability. It's a Democrat hoax. They're the ones that drove the prices up," Trump expreseed.
Democrats seized on that language.
"They don't plan to address the high cost of living in this country because they don't even believe that it exists," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), House Minority Leader.
Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, a Senate vote this week on whether to extend expiring ACA subsidies, bringing the specter of soaring health insurance premiums for millions back to the forefront.
Republicans are pressing for reforms.
"Just throwing more money at insurance companies means costs just keep going up. That doesn't solve the problem," said Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND).
Democrats argue Americans in need can't wait, pushing to keep the issue top of mind with critical midterm elections now less than a year away.
With the Democratic push to extend ACA tax credits likely to fail in the Republican-controlled Senate, GOP senators are circulating alternatives, like putting money directly into Americans' health savings accounts.
Some suggest short-term extensions paired with changes, but the Senate's top Republican has not said if he'll bring any of the GOP plans up for a vote.
