Press Releases
Babies Over Billionaires: Kennedy Calls for Passage of Legislation Lifting Tariffs on Baby Products
Buffalo, NY,
August 18, 2025
Kennedy: Starting a Family is Expensive Enough Already - New Trump Tariffs Threaten to Make the Dream of Parenthood Even more Difficult and Financially Straining Legislation Would Lift Tariffs on Diapers, Formula, Strollers, Car Seats, Toys, and More BUFFALO, N.Y. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) was joined by community leaders at the warehouse location of Every Bottom Covered to call for passage of the Babies Over Billionaires legislative package that has been introduced by the Dads Caucus in the House of Representatives. This legislation would lift tariffs on necessities for parents starting a new family, including diapers, formula, strollers, car seats, toys, and more. According to a recent report issued by Democratic members of Congress’s Joint Economic Committee, prices for the five common baby items, including infant strollers, car seats, cribs, high chairs, and baby monitors, increased by 24% between April 1st, the day President Trump began imposing widespread tariffs, and June 12th. Additionally, the cost for families with new infants since March 10th, based on a collection of 11 categories of baby goods, has increased by $400 since March of this year. When extrapolated, that increase means that new parents in the United States will pay an additional $875 million in 2025 compared to 2024. This legislation, introduced by the Dads Caucus under the leadership of Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-24), aims to ease the economic burden that new parents can face. “As a father, the happiest days of my life were when Katie and I welcomed our children into the world,” said Congressman Kennedy. “I also know the financial strain that a new baby can add for working families - from car seats to cribs, raising an infant is not cheap, and it’s not easy. President Trump’s reckless tariff wars are threatening to put the dream of raising a family out of reach for many Americans. President Trump promised to make life more affordable for everyday Americans, but his policies have done the exact opposite. After inheriting a growing economy with inflation trending down, we are now heading in the wrong direction once again under his leadership. Let’s do right by new parents and their children and make life a little more affordable.” “Our Babies Over Billionaires Agenda is all about lowering costs for families by exempting everyday essentials from Trump’s tariff tax,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “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. 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.” “Every Bottom Covered has provided nearly two million diapers to thousands of families across Western New York,” said Raziya Hill, Founder and Executive Director of Every Bottom Covered. “Price increases threaten our ability to purchase all the materials we need while at the same time they push even more families to use our services. Diapers and other baby products should not be part of a trade war, they are items that are as necessary as food, water, and housing. We join Congressman Kennedy in calling for relief as we face higher prices due to inflation and tariffs.” “Every day, Calming Nature Doula Service & Center works with parents-to-be and new parents as they begin a new chapter in their lives,” said Shannon Johns, DC (DONA), CLC, CEO of Calming Nature Doula Service & Center. “These young families have too much to worry about already, from ensuring consistent access to resources and services to selecting a pediatrician. This legislation will give parents breathing room and let them focus on what really matters: their newborn’s health and wellbeing.” “Starting a family is never easy, but the addition of new costs on top of already-high prices is making life even more difficult,” said LuAnne Brown, CEO of the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network. “We serve hundreds of families every year and continue to see a growing need. We need to do more to control prices on these vital resources for families and their newborns.” The legislative package includes six bills targeting specific categories of baby essentials. Collectively, the package would repeal tariffs that have increased the prices on items like formula, diapers, toys, cribs, clothing, and strollers. Specifically, the bills prohibit use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on baby items. President Trump has used IEEPA as justification to impose sweeping tariffs on countries including China, Canada, and Mexico.'
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