Criticism Mounts Over Kamala Harris’ New Grocery Plan

Critics are fiercely challenging Vice President Kamala Harris’ grocery inflation plan, labeling it as “economic lunacy” and raising concerns over its potential to backfire.

At a Glance

Harris proposes federal controls on food and grocery prices.
The initiative includes a ban on price gouging within her first 100 days.
Economists and Republicans criticize the plan, warning of negative impacts.
The plan is deemed as “big government on steroids” and “economic lunacy.”

Plan to Control Grocery Prices Draws Fire

Vice President Kamala Harris seeks to grant the federal government new authority to regulate food and grocery prices. The plan outlines a federal ban on price gouging to be implemented within her first 100 days in office, aimed at reducing grocery costs and controlling inflation.

This proposal involves imposing harsh penalties on companies that increase food and grocery prices beyond an acceptable threshold. The plan aims to address the high food prices, which Harris acknowledges as a critical concern for Americans. However, critics, including several Republicans and economists, argue that this approach is deeply flawed.

Criticism from Economists and Lawmakers

Critics label the plan as “big government on steroids” and “economic lunacy.” Sen. Rick Scott contends that the plan misses the mark on addressing inflation and highlights that price gouging is already illegal. Economists like Jared Walczak from the Tax Foundation argue that grocery companies operate on slim margins, and government policies are significant drivers of high costs.

“Tomorrow, Vice President Harris, a person who has never built a business, doesn’t understand profit and loss, has never met payrolls, and who has never competed in a consumer market, is going to propose federal price controls,” U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said in a statement. “That should terrify every American. She claims that Congress needs to ban ‘price gouging,’ which is already widely illegal and not the cause of high prices. The skyrocketing prices created by the Biden-Harris administration aren’t price-gouging, it’s inflation.”

Sen. Mike Lee dismissed the plan, suggesting that it would decrease production incentives and lead to scarcity. Samuel Gregg from the American Institute for Economic Research calls the proposal “economic lunacy” and warns of potential shortages and capital misallocations.

Concerns over Economic Impact

The plan authorizes the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to impose penalties and identify anti-competitive practices. While Harris aims to address high consumer prices—a pressing issue for many Americans—the incomplete details have raised concerns.

Critics argue that price controls historically fail and claim that government spending contributes more to inflation than corporate practices. U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Rick Scott predict the plan will lead to supply shortages and higher prices. They see Harris’ approach as a move towards a “command and control” economy.

“Price controls might sound good to some, but they do not work,” U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “They lead to supply shortages and in the end, higher prices. Looks like Kamala Harris is a communist at heart.”

Trump Calls for Closer Scrutiny

Former President Donald Trump has also chimed in, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of inflation, linking it to energy policies. He suggests that Harris’ plan would enact “communist price controls” leading to shortages, hunger, and further inflation.

As the debate over this controversial plan unfolds, Harris’ policy agenda remains critical for her campaign, especially considering her relatively sparse record and efforts to distance herself from past roles. Therefore, understanding both the critiques and the possible implications of her grocery inflation plan is essential.