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Press Release Published: Feb 15, 2022

Cloud: Middle Class America is Shouldering the Burden of Inflation

Instead of parallel investigations, Economic and Consumer Policy Republicans call for an immediate hearing on President Biden’s inflation crisis instead

WASHINGTON — Today, Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Ranking Member Michael Cloud (R-Texas) and Subcommittee Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) expressing concern about the Democrats’ parallel investigation into the meatpacking industry already being conducted by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis while ignoring the worst inflation crisis in 40 years. 

“Inflation reached a 40-year high in January of 2022, increasing by 7.5 percent in the last year The cost of electricity has increased by 10.7 percent, gasoline has increased by 40 percent, the used car market is up almost 40.5 percent, and all commodities other than food or energy have increased by 6 percent. Obviously, recent price increases are not unique to the meat industry, and it is shameful that Democrats are blaming the meat industry instead of holding the Biden Administration accountable for failed policies which have contributed to inflation and dramatic price increases,” wrote the lawmakers.

“Republicans on this committee have pointed out numerous times that there are ample areas for legitimate oversight that you continue to ignore. If this committee wants to lower the cost of living for Americans, there are several areas on which we need to focus. In addition to holding a hearing on the skyrocketing inflation facing consumers, the committee should investigate the Biden Administration’s policies on oil and gas production, which are causing the price of electricity and gas to increase. The committee should also conduct oversight on the existing labor shortage and how Biden’s policies, like the vaccination mandate on private employers, could reverse the current trajectory and increase unemployment. Ultimately, this investigation is merely a veil designed to give the committee cover for abdicating its responsibility to investigate this Administration and its policies… With middle class America shouldering the brunt of price increases across multiple sectors, we strongly urge you to immediately hold a hearing on inflation and its impacts on middle class America,” concluded the lawmakers.

The letter to Chairwoman Maloney and Subcommittee Chairman Krishnamoorthi can be found here.