WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is calling for swift action on the Wartime Anti-Profiteering and Relief Act (WAR Act), legislation designed to protect American families from soaring energy prices and rising costs of living driven by global instability and the U.S.-Israel-Iran war.
“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is already hitting families in Florida where it hurts most: their wallets,” said Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick. “We are seeing rising gas prices, higher utility bills, and increasing costs at the grocery store. The WAR Act is about protecting hardworking families from being priced out of basic necessities.”
Recent disruptions in global energy markets have pushed gasoline prices sharply higher, with projections showing increases of $0.50 to $1.00 per gallon and potentially exceeding $4.50 nationwide if instability continues. For Floridians who rely heavily on driving for work and daily life, these increases pose a serious financial burden.
At the same time, natural gas and electricity prices are expected to rise significantly, with household energy costs projected to increase by 15 to 30 percent in the coming months. These spikes are contributing to broader inflation, including projected increases of 5 to 10 percent in grocery prices due to higher transportation and logistics costs.
“Florida families are already dealing with high housing costs and rising insurance rates. Now they’re being squeezed even further by global energy shocks,” Cherfilus-McCormick added. “Middle-income families, in particular, are being left behind, earning too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to absorb these sudden increases.”
The Congresswoman also raised concerns about potential price gouging, warning that some companies may exploit the crisis to impose unjustified price hikes on fuel, utilities, and essential goods.
The WAR Act would provide targeted relief to households most affected by rising costs and would strengthen federal oversight of energy and commodity markets, crack down on wartime profiteering.
“We cannot allow bad actors to take advantage of global instability at the expense of American families,” said Cherfilus-McCormick. “This bill ensures fairness, accountability, and real relief for the people we serve.”
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick is urging her colleagues in Congress to support the WAR Act and take immediate action to stabilize costs for families in Florida and across the nation.