Washington, D.C. (February 2, 2022) — Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) today demanded that Democrats start taking Americans’ inflation and supply chain concerns seriously. 

During today’s Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection & Commerce Subcommittee hearing, she highlighted the impact price gouging is having on hard-working Americans and how President Biden’s supply chain crisis is making it difficult for people in Eastern Washington to feed their families.

Excerpts and highlights from her remarks: 

INFLATION IS HURTING AMERICANS 
“Americans are feeling the pain of a year of one-party-rule. President Biden’s inflation has hit a 40-year high. 

“Prices have risen across the board, from the pump to the grocery store, and everything in between.

“I just heard from a mom in my district who is struggling to find baby formula. 

“She said, ‘this supply chain crisis has really hurt my family in being able to find food.’ 

“[Democrats are] running the show, and we see record spending, we see top-down mandates, COVID-19 restrictions, surging energy costs that are making rising prices and empty shelves worse. 

“If we want to be transparent with the American people about rising prices, today’s topic should be focused on how to reverse the damage that is resulting in the supply chain and inflation crisis. 

“Unfortunately, today is a deliberate diversion on the root issues.” 

PRICE GOUGING 
“As I said, today’s hearing is a deliberate diversion from the inflation crisis. 

“The COVID-19 Price Gouging Prevention Act still contains the flaws it did two years ago. 

“For instance, it fails to define what constitutes an “excessive” price increase, despite many states having established their own laws specifying an allowable percentage while taking into account supply chain factors.   

“This proposal is supposed be targeted towards goods and services during the Public Health Emergency that are most vulnerable to gouging.   

“But it fails to address the real reason for spiking prices. 

“It doesn’t take into account that when schools are forced to shut down many parents leave the workforce, unable to participate in the economy.  

“It doesn’t address workers being forced out of a job for refusing to submit to vaccine mandates. 

“It doesn’t take into account that we are in a very different stage of this pandemic than we were two years ago. 

“It doesn’t take into account the hundreds of billions of dollars that the Democrats continue to pump into the economy, causing consumer demand to spike even as fewer products are available due to supply chain strains and workforce shortages.   

“The record spending only exacerbates the Biden inflationary death spiral.   

“Last Congress, we were able to enact bipartisan, bicameral legislation for first offense penalty authority to tackle COVID-19 scams. 

“It is disappointing that the legislation today fails to embody that bipartisan spirit.” 

UNLEASHING AMERICAN INNOVATION 
“Let’s work together. We all agree that we want America to compete and to lead.

“America should be leading in developing [new] technology rather than allowing China to dominate, test, and move forward. 

“My colleagues and I stand ready to work on real solutions to resolve supply chain issues, reduce inflation, unleash innovation, and win the future.”