Republicans Vote Against California Consumers as Assembly Democrats Demand Trump’s Illegal Tariffs Be Refunded to Families

• Nick Miller
• Communications Director
• 916-319-2029
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO - Republicans voted against California consumers on Monday during the Assembly floor session in Sacramento, standing again with Trump as Democrats unanimously passed a resolution demanding refunds for the President's harmful tariffs.

Every Democrat voted in favor of SJR 7, a resolution that orders President Trump to rescind his sweeping tariffs, which he's imposed on businesses and consumers since January 2025, and refund California taxpayers for the costs forced onto them.

As every Assembly Democrat voted to hold Trump accountable, the vast majority of Republicans voted in favor of the tariffs - or couldn't muster the courage to vote at all - once again failing to stand united against Trump and Republicans' costly,illegal policy that is driving up prices for working families.

"Trump illegally imposed the largest tax increase of our lifetime and the damage is real: Trump's tariffs are costing families thousands of dollars. Congress must hold him accountable - and if they won't, voters will," Speaker Robert Rivas has said of Trump's tariffs.

"Working families should not be forced to pay the price for reckless economic decisions made without accountability. These tariffs function as taxes on everyday necessities - from groceries to school supplies - at a time when Californians are already struggling with rising costs, instead of stability, we've seen chaos; and instead of partnership, we've seen individual decisions that go too far. We need an economy that rewards hard work, protects small businesses, and delivers real opportunity - not one driven by political theater. SRJ 7 is about restoring balance, respecting Congress's role, and putting working families first," said Assemblymember José Solache, who presented the resolution on the Assembly floor Monday.

"California is making its voice heard: We will not be silenced by Donald Trump as he raises costs for working families on food and other basic goods with his tariff taxes. We will continue to take action to lower the cost of living and address the affordability crisis Trump is causing. I want to thank Speaker Robert Rivas and our colleagues in the Assembly for joining us in this fight," said Senator Sabrina Cervantes, who authored the resolution.

Trump's tariffs have already drained more than $231 billion from American consumers between February 2025 and January 2026.

In California, families are being hit even harder than in other states: Households are projected to lose between $1,900 and $2,000 due to the disproportionate impact of tariffs on the state.

While costs climb, Republicans remain unwilling to confront a policy that functions as a massive tax on their own communities. Of the 20 Assembly Republicans, just 3 supported the resolution, while 13 voted No and 4 declined to vote altogether.

How Trump's Tariffs Are Raising Costs on Working Families

Instead of lowering costs, Trump's tariffs have made everyday life more expensive - shifting billions in new costs directly onto families and small businesses.

• American consumers paid more than $231 billion in tariff costs between February 2025 and January 2026 - an average of roughly $1,751 per family.
• The price of imported goods rose about 4%, while domestic goods rose 2% in the last year.
• Prices relative to pre-tariff trends increased across necessary household categories, including: laundry and cleaning supplies (up 4.7%) and food items such as meat (up 6.2%) and fruit (5.5%).
• Economists estimate that consumers and businesses are bearing at least 90% of the cost of the tariff policies.

Californians Hit Even Harder By Failed Trump Policy

California households are projected to face approximately 15% higher impacts than the national average.

If the average U.S. household lost $1,751 to tariffs in 2025, the average California household likely lost between $1,900 and $2,000.

At a time when families are already struggling with affordability, these added costs are especially damaging.

Trump's Economic Agenda is Illegal and Harmful

Tariffs are just another example of Donald Trump's lawlessness. Even the conservative U.S. Supreme Court found that Trump had no authority to impose sweeping tariffs on every U.S. trading partner, with no consent from Congress.

Since that ruling, Trump hasn't learned - he's simply looked for ways to get around it.

He imposed temporary tariffs that are supposed to end in July, but his administration is already signaling that they're finding pretenses to raise tariffs even more.

Meanwhile, giant corporations and importers are getting relief. They will receive the refunds, not the consumers and small businesses who have been hit the hardest.

Enough is enough. Assembly Democrats are calling on Congress to do its job.

California Democrats Take Action While Republicans Defend the Status Quo

While Republicans continue to defend Trump's reckless tariffs, California Democrats are focused on lowering costs and protecting consumers.

The Assembly will continue advancing policies that lower everyday costs, protect consumers and strengthen economic oversight - because families should never be forced to pay the price of unlawful federal actions.

• Implemented landmark housing affordability legislation in order to speed-up housing and infrastructure projects, expedite permitting and approval processes, and stabilize costs by freezing new residential building standards through 2031.
• Passed significant climate and energy affordability legislation, including the extension of "Cap and Invest" to return $3 billion every year in Climate Credits on Californians' utility bills while creating 287,000 jobs through 2045.
• Allocated $25 million to allow the California Department of Justice to file over 50 lawsuits and protect over $188 billion in federal funding for the state.
• Delivered dozens of new laws to support working families, strengthen consumer protections, and put California on a path to greater affordability.

Assembly Democrats are continuing to advance legislation to ease the cost burden and defend Californians against Trump's reckless economic agenda. Republicans cannot say the same.