ICYMI: 4th of July More Expensive Under Iowa Republicans’ Economy
From filling up the tank on a road trip to buying groceries for a cookout, everything costs more in the Republican’s economy
DES MOINES – This Fourth of July is different for Iowans. As families prepare to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary by gathering with family and friends, they are finding that one of America’s most cherished traditions is more expensive under Iowa Republicans’ rule.
Instead of delivering on their promise to lower costs, Trump and Iowa Republicans Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn have saddled Americans with higher costs to pay for tax giveaways for the ultra-wealthy and their expensive war with Iran — making it harder for families to afford gas and classic Fourth of July cookout staples.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 Summer Cookout Cost Survey projected that a classic Independence Day cookout will cost 4% more than last year.
Families in Iowa will now have to pay an average of over $70 for a typical cookout meal. This Independence Day, Americans are feeling the pain of higher costs at the grocery store, at the gas pump, and on their utility bills after picking up the tab for Trump’s corruption, his love for inflation, and his reckless war in Iran.
2026 Fourth of July Cookout Prices Compared to Last Year:
- Ground beef UP 5.5%
- Pork chops UP 4.7%
- Chicken breasts UP 3.5%
- Chocolate chip cookies UP 6.3%
- Pork & beans UP 13.8%
- Cheese UP 1.7%
- Strawberries UP 12.4%
- Ice cream UP 5.3%
- Lemonade UP 3.9%
- Hamburger buns UP 7.7%
“Republican Representatives Miller-Meeks, Nunn, and Hinson should spend this 4th of July in a state of self-reflection,” said IDP Chair Rita Hart. “Maybe then they’d see that their unwavering support for Trump’s reckless agenda, his painful tariffs, and his war against Iran have done nothing but harm the citizens of our state. Iowans will be celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary this Saturday, and thanks to the Republican Party our wallets will be a lot lighter afterwards.”
###