Jeff Merkley

Eugene-area small business and labor leaders expressed concerns over rising costs to U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley.

Business owners cited increased prices for ingredients, electricity, insurance, and fuel surcharges.

Sen. Merkley attributed a lack of federal aid to congressional Republicans focusing on other issues like immigration.

Eugene-area small business and labor leaders told U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, they are being squeezed by high costs at the senator's round table in Eugene on June 5.

Ibrahim Hamid, owner of Cafe Soriah, said he knows of at least three Eugene restaurants that closed recently due to rising expenses.

Hamid said his meat ingredients have doubled in price over the last few years and he doesn't see any relief on the horizon. He said costs similarly have risen for electricity and insurance, and now his suppliers are adding fuel surcharges to his deliveries.

Meanwhile, he's seeing fewer customers and the customers who do come are buying less.

Melissa Brown, owner of The Kiva grocery store, said her produce costs have increased 40% this year. The SNAP benefit freeze last fall, plus new SNAP work requirements, also have been challenges.

Matthew Vega, a cook at PeaceHealth, speaking in his capacity as a Service Employees International Union member, said produce costs at the hospital similarly have increased, meanwhile his coworkers can't afford a visit to the hospital where they work.

"It's a matter of, do I go get seen or do I go and pay my electrical this month?" he said.

Merkley told speakers he would like to do more to help them, but in his view Republicans who currently control Congress are distracted by issues like immigration.

The latest bill, passed in Merkley's chamber on June 5, allocated $70 billion in new funds for ICE and Border Patrol to aid deportation. This is on top of the $150 billion for border security passed in last year's "Big Beautiful Bill."

The Senate passed the bill 52-47 with all Democrats opposed and all Republicans except Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in favor. The Senate can pass budget bills without the typically required 60-vote threshold.

Republicans voted down several Democratic attempts to amend the bill, including an amendment which would have blocked President Donald Trump's proposed "anti-weaponization" fund, which Democrats have speculated could be spent on Jan. 6 rioters.

The House has not indicated when it may vote on the measure.

Spending in Washington, D.C., is in stark contrast to what regular people are experiencing. Last month, national debt passed gross domestic product. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told Congress the Iran War has cost $29 billion, although Senate Democrats believe the cost is higher. The cost of the proposed White House ballroom has risen to $400 million.

The latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture say as of April 2026 food prices have increased 3.2% from the year before. According to AAA, national gas prices have increased 42% since the start of the Iran War. In Oregon, the average gas price has climbed from $3.92 just before the war to $5.11 today.