Ranking Member Edward J. Markey wrote to Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics William Wiatrowski on April 17, requesting detailed information about the economic effects of what he called “Trump’s illegal war on Iran.” The letter follows a previous request sent in March that received no response.
Markey’s request comes as concerns grow over rising costs for American families and small businesses, including higher gasoline prices and disruptions to supply chains. He said these factors are increasing expenses for households across the country. In his letter, Markey urged Wiatrowski to provide nonpartisan data and analysis covering all sectors of the economy, regardless of political pressure from the administration.
“Increased transportation costs affect virtually every facet of the supply chains our economy relies on. And yet, we have yet to hear any concrete plan from the Administration regarding an end to the conflict, a solution to alleviate these costs, or any attempt at providing relief for Americans,” Markey wrote.
He continued: “Understandably, Americans remain skeptical that President Trump has a plan of any kind. They cannot afford to fly blind, as Trump apparently elects to. Facing thousands of dollars in higher prices for gasoline, groceries, and utilities—not to mention the hundreds of billions of their taxpayer money that Trump is requesting to pay for the war itself—American families and small businesses must budget and plan for the future. BLS must put forward consumer price projections that reflect the disastrous consequences of Trump’s illegal war.”
Markey requested updated projections from BLS by May 1 regarding changes in consumer prices in energy—including gasoline and electricity—food prices affected by supply chain disruptions linked to elevated natural gas prices, broader goods impacted by shipping costs and energy input increases, as well as details about how BLS models such impacts.
The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee supports informed decision-making on national fiscal priorities according to its official website. The committee also offers Congress comprehensive policy options on federal budget components according to its official website.
According to its official website the committee features Lindsey Graham as chairman and Jeff Merkley as ranking member. It contributes through resolutions and reconciliation instructions during congressional budget processes according to its official website.
The committee was established through legislation passed in 1974 according to its official website, providing nonpartisan budgetary analysis via oversight over agencies like the Congressional Budget Office as stated by its official site.
