We are one week into the new year, but according to some political leaders, the challenges for Americans remain the same.
Both sides are concerned about the higher costs we're seeing.
We reached out to Congressman Mark Amodei's office, and in a statement, they said, "Republicans have and will continue to push for common-sense legislation that prioritizes lowering costs for American families. In fact, we are voting on a couple of bills this week that advance that goal."
Their office went on to tell us, "These bills have a real chance of becoming law, if they haven't already, and we believe Representative Amodei's voting record on them, compared to his Democrat counterparts, speaks for itself."
This is a list Congressman Amodei's office sent to us of pending bills and acts, and those that have already passed:
Bills being voted on this week that will try to lower costs for Nevadans:
- H.R. 5184 – Affordable HOMES Act
- H.R. 4593 – Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing
- (SHOWER) Act
Bills already passed through the House that will work towards lowering costs for Nevadans:
- H.R. 1 – The One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- H.R. 6703 – Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act
- H.R. 2965 – Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act of 2025
- H.R. 1949 – Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025
- H.J. Res. 130 – Buffalo Field Office RMP CRA
- H.J. Res. 88 (Joyce-PA) – Clean Cars CRA
- H.R. 1156 – Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act
If you would like to learn more about each of the items listed above or below in this story, you can click the link here.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders are worried the president isn't helping with economic relief.
They pointed out that housing, health care, groceries, and basic needs are significantly more expensive.
Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen says Republican politicians contributed to this by letting ACA enhanced tax credits expire.
"Many families will now have to make tough decisions about putting food on the table and being able to see a doctor without breaking the bank," she said.
She went on to say, "Since Donald Trump has been in office, families have spent on average well over $1,000 more than in previous years just because of Trump's reckless tariffs, so make no mistake and don't be confused, Trump's tariffs are a tax on all of us."
Senator Rosen suggested her No Tariffs on Groceries Act, which would exempt groceries from President Trump's tariffs, could be a solution, but it still needs unanimous consent from the Senate floor.
"When it comes to groceries, and I want to talk about that again because this hit everyone at every single kitchen table, every restaurant everywhere we go, people have to eat. And so all of us are paying those taxes," she said.
Senator Rosen adds, "How many people are making choices at the grocery store because they can't afford things because of his reckless tariffs, which are a tax at every kitchen table and every restaurant in this country?"
There are also housing price differences in northern and southern Nevada.
Senator Rosen says in northern Nevada, there is the Washoe County Lands Bill. She says we have the highest percentage of public land—more than any other state in the nation, around 84% to 85%, which means we have to have federal legislation in order to unlock land so we can use it.
Senator Rosen says she has two bills that she hopes will help. One is called the Constructs Act, which provides a consistent pipeline of construction workers to help build more homes, and the other is to help reduce tariffs on building materials.
With these economic issues being discussed, we turned to residents to see how they feel.
Michael Garcia, a Reno resident, tells us about his grocery shopping experience. "They're getting higher and higher. I wanted to buy a steak the other night for dinner, and oh my god, the meat prices are so high that we don't eat meat that much."
He adds, "We shop at Walmart because their lower prices."
Similarly, we asked Nancy Sheets, another Reno resident, about grocery shopping. "They're very high, and it's uncomfortable to come to the store because you used to buy a bag of groceries for $10, and now it's $20, you might get a bag of groceries. I know that's not comparing prices, but that's kind of how you feel."
We then asked about housing prices.
Sheets said, "Ridiculous, just absolutely, housing prices are ridiculous, I don't know how anybody that's just starting out will ever be able to find a home they can afford."
Garcia also said, "I grew up here my whole life, and I've seen the prices go up, and I don't see how they're selling houses if they're so expensive, oh my god."
