Black Working Families Are Disproportionately Affected by Cuts to Assistance Programs and Tariffs

March 2, 2026

Harrisburg, PENNSYLVANIA — Last week, Affordable Pennsylvania, the Young Professionals of Color, and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus hosted a Black History Month reception focused on the impacts of federal policy on Black working families in Pennsylvania. Attendees heard from local electeds, shared their experiences with rising costs, and learned about how federal policy in Washington impacts affordability.

“What we’re here to talk about is how Black people are going to broaden the definition of freedom for this country. We know that attacking affordability for all Americans means attacking Black families and Black households first,” said Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, Lancaster County. “I invite all people here to be part of establishing affordability, and voting access and rights, and housing, and healthcare for Black Americans. Because I promise you, when we deliver those things for Black Americans, we will have delivered them for every American.”

According to a recent report by the non-partisan Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, federal policy decisions in 2025 have disproportionately affected Black families and Black-owned businesses.

Throughout Pennsylvania and the nation, tariffs have raised prices on small businesses, consumers, and working families. These tariffs present a particular burden to Black-owned businesses, which tend to have thinner profit margins and less access to capital than white counterparts, making them especially vulnerable to rising costs.

Black families are also disproportionately harmed by the massive cuts to SNAP and Medicaid that Congressman Scott Perry voted for in the Republican Tax Law. Black Americans account for more than 20% of Medicaid enrollees and nearly 2 in 3 Black children rely on the program. Medicaid also covers nearly 65% of births for Black families. These cuts will eliminate critical programs that Black communities depend on, threaten hospitals in Black neighborhoods that are already at higher risk of closure, and exacerbate existing disparities in health outcomes for Black mothers and infants.

More than a quarter of SNAP recipients are Black. Last year, Black unemployment rose from 6.2% to 7.5% and Black household income fell 3.3% - without federal food assistance, some families will be forced to make impossible decisions between paying their bills and putting food on the table.

ICYMI: CBS21: Affordable PA, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, and Young Professionals of color discuss Black working families agenda

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