Video / House Democrats’ Hearing on Affordability & Cost of Living Crisis

House Democrats’ Hearing on Affordability & Cost of Living Crisis

On August 28, 2026, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee and Democratic Nevada Members of Congress Representatives Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, and Susie Lee held a Field Hearing. Culinary Union Secretary Treasurer Ted Pappageorge was invited as an expert witness to the Field Hearing held at the Las Vegas City Hall. The Field Hearing examined how Trump’s policies have driven up the cost of living for working families, from skyrocketing gas prices and grocery bills to rising housing costs, and the economic impacts driving up costs from Trump’s illegal war with Iran. Last year, Las Vegas saw the largest ever drop in visitor volume going back to 1970 without a single major event. Visitation dropped by 7.5% in 2025, with over 3 million fewer visitors compared to 2024. Starting in January, 2025, this White House began to insult and bully other countries with political taunts and economic tariffs while ramping up a dangerous campaign to arrest, detain, and deport immigrants. Through its actions here and abroad, this administration told the world that the U.S. does not respect or welcome foreigners. It should then be no surprise that the rest of the world heard the message loud and clear and many of them decided not to come to the U.S., including Las Vegas. More wars of choice, with missiles or tariffs, are not going to boost consumer confidence. So here in Las Vegas, fewer visitors to Las Vegas means fewer customers in the casinos and hotels, fewer covers and fewer tips in the restaurants, and all that means is fewer hours and shifts for Culinary Union members. And what’s more, prices are still too high and they did not come down on Day One of this new administration. We are all trying to do our best to earn a decent living, support our families, and try to give our children a little more and a little better than what we had. We cannot do any of that if our financial situation gets more precarious by the day. We need our government to take concrete steps to help us get out of this Trump Slump, grow the Las Vegas tourism economy again, and come with meaningful ways to make life more affordable for working people. Right now, working families are hurting, this country is off the rails and we've got to get it back on track.