Policies enacted by Trump and Republicans like Kean Jr. have raised costs for New Jersey families by $2,314 per household through the first half of 2026

NEW JERSEY— New research out from the Center for American Progress Action Fund and Climate Power highlights how unaffordable life has become for New Jerseyans, thanks in large part to Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. One year after the GOP budget bill was signed into law, Trump’s policies have raised costs for New Jersey families by $2,314 per household through the first half of 2026. For families that buy health care coverage through the ACA marketplace, that total climbs to $3,826. By the end of 2026, those totals could grow to $3,463 and $6,488, respectively. 

Trump’s war of choice in Iran and efforts to block clean energy raised gasoline and utility costs in New Jersey by $740. By the end of 2026, those additional energy costs could reach $1,280 if costs continue to rise at the current rate. Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. voted 7 times in favor of Trump’s war and other policies that raised costs for New Jersey families on gasoline, electricity, and tariff-affected goods. 

“Rather than taking action to lower the cost of living for New Jerseyans, Trump and Republicans like Kean Jr. are actively making the problem worse,” said Senior Advisor Jesse Lee. “One year ago, Trump signed one of the worst ‘own goal’ policies ever into law: the Republican budget bill. Since then, New Jerseyans have been paying the price: literally. Trump and Kean Jr. deliberately killed clean energy jobs and investments, which means even higher utility bills, on top of votes to raise costs on everything from gas to groceries to health care. Instead of New Jersey leading America toward energy independence, Trump and Republicans have made us even more reliant on the global oil and gas market, then led us into a disastrous war that we’ve all paid for at the pump.”

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