WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Fox News spoke to Americans who say they were forced to save cash and buy fewer holiday gifts this year as congressional leaders push a $1.7 trillion spending package, which critics warn could fuel ongoing inflation.<\/p>\n
“I have saved to be able to do Christmas with the kids,” Irene, from Arizona, told Fox News. “Things are a lot more expensive.”<\/p>\n
But Reagan, from Missouri, said inflation didn’t impact her holiday shopping.<\/p>\n
“I actually did all my shopping on Amazon, so it was actually pretty easy,” Reagan said.<\/p>\n
HOLIDAY GUIDE TO \u2018TIPPING THE PEOPLE WHO HELP YOU ALL YEAR\u2019: AN EXPERT’S ADVICE FOR SEASONAL SPENDING<\/p>\n
Inflation reached a 40-year high in 9.1% in June. It’s dropped since then, but still hit 7.1% in November. A December AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, meanwhile, found that 57% of adults said it was harder to afford holiday gifts this year.<\/p>\n
“As far as inflation goes, my paycheck doesn’t go as far as it used to,” William, from Arizona, said. “We bought a few less gifts but more important things that they might need.”
\nThe Senate, meanwhile, moved forward with a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package Tuesday. It includes $3.6 million for the “Michelle Obama Trail \u2013 PATH Trail Project” and funding to name a federal building after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.<\/p>\n
Critics, such as Republican Sens. Mike Lee and Rick Scott, argued that increased government spending would worsen inflation.<\/p>\n
“It’s just terrible,” Art, from Pennsylvania, said on inflation. “How long can we endure?”<\/p>\n
INFLATION IS \u2018TAKING A TOLL\u2019 ON SENIORS, FORCING THEM TO RETURN TO WORK: \u2018THE HOLIDAYS ARE GOING TO BE TOUGH’<\/p>\n
He told Fox News his family wasn’t giving gifts this year due to price hikes.
\n“It’s just hard times,” Art said. “This is gonna be the beginning of the collapse. It’s probably gonna be maybe as bad or worse than the depression.”<\/p>\n