Prices are up on fuel, food, housing, cars and more, causing many American families to cut back on spending.
The U.S. Labor Department reported on Tuesday that the consumer price index rose 8.5% in March from over a year ago. That is the highest number recorded since Dec. 1981. Prices jumped 1.2% in the one-month period from February, the largest month-to-month jump since 2005. A new poll shows that many Americans have had to cut back on their grocery spending to combat the rise in prices.
Wages are rising but not fast enough to keep pace with inflation. Real average hourly earnings decreased 0.8% in March from the previous month, as the 1.2% inflation increase eroded the 0.4% total wage gain, according to the Labor Department. On an annual basis, real earnings fell 2.7% in March.
“We recently sent an email survey to 499 random constituents in the 4th District asking if they approve or disapprove of the job President Biden is doing,” said Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04). “A whopping 88% disapprove. But with the way he is running his administration, these numbers are not surprising. His policies seem to be geared toward making things worse for everyday Americans instead of making them better.”
The disappointing economic news was blamed on the Biden administration by the rest of Alabama’s congressional Republicans as well.
Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06) said, “Inflation has reached a new record high yet again. How many new records have to be broken before the Biden administration admits failure and addresses this crisis that is having real-world negative effects on the everyday lives of American families? Inflation accelerated to a new four-decade high in March as supply chain constraints, the Russian war in Ukraine and strong consumer demand fueled rapid price gains that wiped out the benefits of rising wages for most Americans.”
Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02) said on social media, “Inflation continues to hit record highs under President Biden's failed leadership. And hardworking Alabamians are now facing inflation at a staggering rate of 🚨8.5%🚨. When will the reckless spending in Washington stop? The American people cannot afford for inflation to soar month after month. We need to stop printing money, unleash American energy and get big government out of the way.”
Also on social media, Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL05) said, “Inflation is at a 40-year record high thanks to Biden’s disastrous leadership. Americans are being crushed under the weight of soaring prices, emptying their wallets just to pay for essentials like groceries and gas. The numbers DON’T LIE. Biden’s policies = A BIG 👎! American citizens deserve better!!!”
Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said, “It's unconscionable that Americans have had to cut back on groceries due to Biden’s increasing inflation.”
Congressman Jerry Carl (R-AL01) said, “When I was seven, my mother came home crying because she couldn’t afford groceries after putting enough gas in the car to get home. Today, mothers across the country are in the same boat because Democrats have waged war on common sense and have crippled American energy production. A full YEAR ago, gas prices were already skyrocketing, but Biden went ahead and canceled the Keystone Pipeline. He’s continued his war on American energy since and shows no signs of stopping. Let’s be clear - this is not Putin’s price hike. It’s the Democrats’ price hike. It’s time for them to get out of the way of common sense and bring relief to struggling Americans. Unleash American energy NOW!”
Aderholt added, “Biden continues to blame inflation on everything except his failed economic agenda. During his campaign, he promised to govern as a centrist but I, and the people of Alabama, have seen him do nothing but bend to the radical wing of his party.”
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