WASHINGTON — Democratic dads in Congress are going after tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, arguing the sweeping taxes have caused a spike in prices for items that are necessary for parents with young children.
Members of the congressional Dad Caucus are pushing for a legislative package that would lift tariffs on items such as diapers, formula, strollers and car seats, on which lawmakers say prices have surged since President Donald Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariff package in April. The package, coined “Babies Over Billionaires,” would specifically prohibit the president from using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on those specific items.
“Any parent, including myself, knows how expensive it is to raise a child, and as currently formulated, the typical American household can now expect to pay an average of $4,600 more annually because of Trump’s dumb tariffs,” Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., chairman of the Dads Caucus, said in a statement. “Our legislation would help working families from having to choose between paying rent and buying their child new shoes, a car seat, or baby formula.”
The package includes six bills that would ban tariffs on baby clothing, toy items, hygiene products such as baby wipes or diapers, food items, safety products such as strollers, and sleep items.
The legislation comes in response to a recent report issued by Democratic members of Congress’s Joint Economic Committee showing that prices for common baby items have increased by 24% between April 1, when Trump announced the widespread tariffs, and June 12.
The study also showed that the costs for families with new infants has increased by $400 since March. When combined, new parents will end up paying a total of $875 million more by the end of 2025 than they did last year.
The caucus introduced the bills in July but they have not been brought to the House floor for consideration. Now, members of the Dad Caucus are pushing leadership to vote on the package when they return in September.