Democrats Inflation Blame Game

When it comes to inflation, Democrats point the finger at anyone but the poor policy decisions that led us to record-setting consumer prices.

According to Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, “the reason why we are where we are is that we infused, injected our economy with a great amount of support,” referencing the American Rescue Plan that economists have deemed “the original sin” that “set the stage for inflation.” 

Houlahan continues to push away responsibility claiming, “rising costs as you probably know are very much driven by what’s going on in Ukraine.” Her colleague, Rep. Mike Levin of California, says skyrocketing prices can be blamed on “the Three P’s: Pandemic, Putin, and Price-Gouging.” 

Despite Democrats’ insistence that price gouging is the root of rising prices, economists broadly agree that thirst for profit did not cause the record-setting inflation. 

Bloomberg: “It’s part of a broader narrative that President Joe Biden and his party has championed that a swath of companies — from energy firms to meat packers — is taking advantage of pandemic-related disruptions to jack up prices all the more in an effort to boost profits. But most economists, including many aligned with Democrats, counter that there’s little evidence such practices are behind the inflation crisis.”

No matter how much Democrats try to distract, it’s clear that their biggest legislative “accomplishment” of their unified control of Washington has been at the root of rising prices: 

“More than eight months after its enactment, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP) continues to reveal itself as the most damaging spending bill enacted in decades.” (Brian Riedl, Op-Ed, “The Worst Spending Bill in Decades?” National Review, 12/8/21)

Concord Monitor Op-Ed: “The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has noted that Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan directly created inflation.” (Vikram Mansharamani, Op-Ed, “Let’s repeal the inflation tax,” Concord Monitor, 1/31/22)

In February 2022, Bloomberg reported that economists and former public officials are saying that ARP “contributed to a sustained pace of high inflation.” (Rich Miller and Laura Davison, “Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Win on Covid Aid Hobbles Rest of Agenda,” Bloomberg, 2/28/22)

Bottom Line: Instead of taking ownership for the once-in-a-generation inflation the American Rescue Plan caused, Democrats look to blame anyone and everything else.