OLYMPIA, Wash. — The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a 2.7% increase in prices over the past year, highlighting rising costs for American consumers.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., a senior member of the Finance Committee, criticized the current administration’s economic policies in response to the report.

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“President Trump promised to lower prices on day one. He has not,” Cantwell said. “In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said today that consumer prices are 2.7 percent higher than a year ago. The price of groceries is up 2.4 percent, and electricity prices are up by 6.7 percent. Instead of working to lower these costs, this Administration’s tariff policies and assault on renewable and alternative energy are only driving them higher. Consumers are feeling the pain from broken promises.”

Seattle faced an even higher increase than the rest of Washington, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Washington’s largest city saw prices rise 3.1% from December 2024 to December 2025.

Over the year, food prices advanced 4.4%, with prices for food at home increasing 1.5% and and food prices away from home increasing 7.6%.

Energy prices increased 7.2% over the year.

The CPI and BLS data underscores the financial pressures faced by consumers, with notable increases in grocery and electricity prices.

In recent weeks, Trump unveiled a series of new policy proposals aimed at lowering the cost of living, facing a frustrated public with the midterms approaching and endangering his slim Republican majorities in Congress if dynamics don’t shift in their favor.

These proposals include a 50-year mortgage bond and “portable” loans, as well as calling on credit card companies to cap their interest rates at 10%.

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Pessimism among consumers has persisted, with the Conference Board’s survey finding consumer confidence weakened for a fifth straight month in January 2026, while Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index is sitting at a 17-month low.