[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 194 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HIGHER COSTS OF EVERYDAY LIFE

  (Mrs. Sykes of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, as families in Ohio's 13th Congressional 
District get ready for the holiday season, I will talk about something 
that is weighing on many of them.
  The cost of everyday life keeps going up and people feel it every 
time they shop for groceries, pay their utility bills, fill up their 
gas tanks, or try to plan for the weeks ahead.
  Across Ohio's 13th District, people are telling me the same thing: 
Their paychecks are not stretching the way they used to and they are 
working harder and getting less in return.
  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food costs have 
increased nearly 3 percent over the past year and the cost of meat, 
poultry, fish, and coffee grew more than 5 percent.
  The Department of Agriculture expects grocery prices to rise again 
this year. These cost increases amount to grocery bills that are 
hundreds of dollars higher for less food. This is compounded by the 
SNAP cuts in the one big, ugly bill and cuts to food banks all across 
this country.
  However, it is not just food and groceries. Families are feeling the 
squeeze in multiple ways. Healthcare premiums, copays, and prescription 
costs have climbed, leaving families with difficult choices about their 
care. Energy bills from heating homes in winter to cooling them in 
summer are also rising, stretching budgets even further.
  These are not small inconveniences. They shape every decision 
families make about what they can afford. As people question whether 
they can cover the basics, it affects how they plan their days, care 
for one another, and participate in their communities. Something as 
simple as sitting down together for a meal or planning a gathering can 
become harder to manage.
  These costs do not rise in a vacuum. The decisions made here in 
Washington shape the choices people face at home. When policies put 
pressure on working families instead of supporting them, the impact 
shows up in higher bills and tighter budgets. A strong economy is one 
that gives families the confidence to meet their needs and build toward 
the future. It starts with people who feel secure enough to gather, 
share a meal, and look ahead with some peace of mind.
  That is why I continue to fight for policies that put people first. I 
am working to lower healthcare costs. I am working to bring down 
everyday expenses, including energy, utilities, and food costs. I am 
committed to supporting the creation of good-paying jobs so families in 
Ohio's 13th District and all across the country can worry a little less 
and hope a lot more.
  As we enter this holiday season, we should remember what keeps our 
communities strong: fairness, opportunity, and support for one another. 
Let us, as Members of Congress, make choices that help families meet 
their needs and stay connected.


                    Champion of the Week: Aarit Koul

  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Aarit Koul as the 
champion of the week for Ohio's 13th Congressional District.
  Aarit, a freshman at Jackson High School, recently won the 2025 
National Civics Bee. He competed against finalists from 38 other States 
in five rounds, including one in which he presented a societal problem 
and offered his suggestions for solving it.
  Aarit discussed the healthcare system in the United States, timely 
and appropriate, especially considering our current state of affairs.
  With this win comes a $100,000 college fund, which will go a long way 
to help him attend his dream school, Yale University. Aarit aspires to 
become a lawyer and ultimately land an appointment as a Justice of the 
Supreme Court of the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time I have come to the floor to 
recognize Aarit's talents, nor is it the second. This is actually the 
third time Aarit has been recognized before this body.
  In 2023, he was the Congressional App Challenge Winner for Ohio's 
13th District when he was in middle school. His app, Care Civics, was 
designed to encourage young people to become civically engaged. He was 
inspired by his time studying for the Ohio Civics Bee, which he went on 
to win in 2024. Now, just a high school freshman, he has come out on 
top at the national level, and I could not be more proud.
  Mr. Speaker, I also had the honor of first meeting Aarit at Jackson 
Memorial Middle School when he served as the Speaker of the Little 
Congress. Aarit is a shining example of why Ohio's 13th Congressional 
District is known as the birthplace of champions.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to all that he accomplishes in the 
future, and I thank Aarit for his dedication to civics in the United 
States of America.

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