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Democrats and Republicans of the House Committee on Economic Disparity & Fairness in Growth are weighing ways to ease the rising inflation burden on American families in a bipartisan way, especially in a hyper-partisan environment.
In a joint interview, Jim Himes, D-Conn. and Bryan Steil, R-Wis. discussed their visit to Wisconsin this past week. They met with local leaders from Milwaukee and Kenosha in order to discuss the economic challenges facing their communities.
While the lawmakers were present in Wisconsin, the inflation numbers were released. They showed a new 4-decade high in March. This was because Russia’s war in Ukraine caused rapid price increases for oil and gas, which wiped out the benefits from rising wages for most Americans.
HIMES, STEIL SAY ECONOMIC DESPARITY IS ‘NOT a DEMOCRAT THING or a REPUBLICAN THING.’ SEEK BIPARTISAN RESULTS
House Committee on Economic Disparity & Fairness in Growth Chair Jim Himes and ranking member Bryan Steil during a field hearing in Wisconsin.
(House Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth).
According to the Labor Department report, March’s consumer price index increased 8.5% from a year earlier. This is the fastest increase since January 1982, when inflation reached 8.4%.
Himes responded to Fox News’ request for his reaction. He said that the “true answer” was not political, but that there was a partisan, political one.
“Inflation is very detrimental to families,” Himes stated. It is a tax on wealth and so, especially for families that don’t have much, it is very damaging,” Himes stated to Fox News. “And we have reached a point in which inflation is now negating some wage increases that we’ve seen.”
Himes claimed that the U.S. economy is “absolutely rocking right currently,” citing a drop of the unemployment rate and an increase job numbers each month. Himes however stated that this has “come along with demand that’s outpacing supply.”
Himes stated, “And that is what inflation looks like.”
Himes stated to Fox News that Republicans will blame President Biden for the “partisan, politically correct answer”.
“It is Joe Biden’s fault,” you might say. It is not. Himes said that we did a $5 trillion, almost $6 billion fiscal stimulus in this nation over two administrations. “You know, Joe Biden’s administration was responsible roughly for a third of that. But we did a massive fiscal stimulation that resulted an economy that is performing as well today as it is today. However, it also caused inflation.
Himes said that the “honest, not the partisan” answer was that the Federal Reserve was most likely slow out of the gate.
Himes stated, “They are those who, through interest rate increases, are going to moderate inflation.” “So, again the partisan answer to this is that it’s all Joe Bidens fault. That’s simply not true.”
Representatives Gwen Moore and Bryan Steil in the field in Milwaukee
(House Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth).
Himes stated, however, that the Federal Reserve will need to “step in and step up big and raise rates. That is not going to make America happy.”
Himes warned that there would be an increase in mortgage rates. This would make it “more expensive and difficult” to borrow money to start a business.
INFLATION SURGES 8.5% IN MARCH, HITTING A NEW 40-YEAR HIGH
Steil, the top Republican in the committee, commented on Fox News, saying that lawmakers should figure out what to do about those “being negatively affected by inflation”.
“How can we find areas for agreement, reducing pain, and in particular? Steil said. “Inflation hurts everyone.”
Steil said that inflation “uniquely affects seniors with fixed incomes and low income workers.”
“Low-income workers, who have struggled to make ends meet in the United States for years, are particularly challenged in this environment.” Steil said that many people have spoken out about how rising housing costs and the rise in rents.
Americans have seen their meat prices rise by 14.8%, fish prices by 10.9%, eggs and milk prices rise by 11.2%, 13.3%, milk by 13.3%, and fruits and vegetables increased by 8.1% and 11.2% respectively since last year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Americans have been paying 32% less for energy than last year and 48% more to fill up their gas tanks.
Biden announced last month that all Russian oil, gas, and energy imports to the United States would be banned. This was in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. However, Biden warned that this ban could have a negative impact on American families.
About one-third of all oil comes from Russia Imports of oil from EuropeHowever, it is only 10% of total U.S. imports.
The White House, though, is blaming Putin for the record-high gas prices in the U.S., even coining the surge as the “#PutinPriceHike” and vowing that Biden will do everything he can to shield Americans from “pain at the pump.”
Biden, on Tuesday, announced that the Environmental Protection Agency will allow E15 gasoline gasoline that uses a 15% ethanol blend to be sold in the United States this summer in an effort to expand Americans access to an affordable fuel supply amid the surge in gas prices across the nation.
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According to the White House at current prices, E15 can averagely save a family 10 Cents per gallon of gasoline.
Himes stated that the president has never controlled gasoline prices. He was referring to Republican calls for Biden’s reopening of domestic oil production via the Keystone XL pipeline. “Keystone XL is a keystone pipeline that if turned on today would have an immediate impact on gas prices for two to three more years.”
Reps. Jim Himes and Bryan Steil in Wisconsin
(House Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth).
Himes, who defended the Biden administration, stated that it was unfair to claim that the rise in gas prices was their fault.
Steil, however, disagreed and said to Fox News that he was “on record” saying it was Joe Biden’s fault.
Steil stated that while the chairman and I can disagree viscerally on the causes and impact of Bidens energy policy on current energy prices, people still feel the sting of these policies and the inflationary environment. “So, while we may disagree on the root causes and why we got here, I believe we should discuss how to address this in relation to making sure everyone can live a good, fulfilling life, and achieving the American dream.
Steil said that although they will not agree on everything, they can agree on “where they can work together” and “how we can actually help people in America in a hyperpartisan environment.”
“There will be moments when we want to get into the partisan fray. However, there will also be moments when we need pause to think and ask ourselves, where are the areas that are most successful? Are government programs effective? Are there private sector solutions that work well?”
Steil added: “These are forcing us both to recognize that sometimes there are solutions that cross traditional, political-ideological spectrums and cross Washington, D.C., talking points.”
Rep. Gwen Moore
(House Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth).
Himes, Steil, and Moore were in Wisconsin this week for a variety of field hearings and events. They discussed issues such as affordable housing, higher education, and community workforce development.
Fox News reporter Himes said that the events were a “wonderful opportunity for him” and that there are “strong similarities” between the issues facing Americans in Milwaukee, Kenosha and what he sees in his own district in Connecticut.
Steil stated that one the “biggest challenges” during the trip was “just what much work is needed.”
REP. HIMES SAYS FAILURE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ‘OUGHT to TROUBLE DEMOCRATS and REPUBLICANS
Steil stated, “I believe that this is true across America, and it gives you a perspective from which to dive into and look for policy solutions that cross party lines to benefit American citizens.”
Himes spoke out to Fox News in an interview before their first joint hearing in Wisconsin. He stated that the issue of economic inequality is “too important” and “too significant for too many Americans to allow us to make grandstands and suggest that the problems are easy.”
Himes stated that there is too much going on for Democrats and that Republicans are always wrong. “This doesn’t mean I’m any less Democrat, nor ranking member Steil any less Republican. Some issues are easier to hear from Democrats, while others are more difficult.
He added, “But that’s what we really want to do, because no one party has the right answers.”
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Fox News reported that Himes stated that the committee would continue to hold field hearings in Washington, D.C. He also said that lawmakers will “stand behind what we believe, but lean heavily on areas where there is overlap, since, frankly, this Congress, nothing is being done without bipartisan support.”
Steil stated that there is economic disparity wherever you look. It’s not a Democrat or Republican thing.
