
Harris to call for federal ban on price gouging to lower costs in first economic policy speech
CNN
Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday is expected to call for a federal ban on price gouging to lower grocery prices and everyday costs for Americans in her first economic policy speech in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday is expected to call for a federal ban on price gouging to lower grocery prices and everyday costs for Americans in her first economic policy speech in Raleigh, North Carolina. The proposal is part of Harris’ efforts to prevent corporations in the food and grocery industries from hiking prices on consumers and is one component of a larger plan she will roll out to tackle high costs and inflation, according to a news release from the Harris campaign. As part of her first 100 days in office, the vice president’s campaign said she would implement a plan to keep costs down that includes authorizing the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to investigate and implement harsh penalties on companies that violate the federal ban, resources that can detect price-fixing, and more support for small businesses to potentially grow into competitors of large companies. Harris’ policy speech comes as the economy remains a critical issue for voters. An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released last week found that Americans trust former President Donald Trump over Harris to handle the economy – but opinions were closely split, with 51% saying Trump would be better at handling the economy while 48% said Harris. Harris on Saturday backed the elimination of taxes on tips for hospitality and service workers, endorsing a policy first suggested by Trump. The proposal was one of the first notable policies the vice president has offered since ascending to the top of the Democratic ticket last month. In her speech, Harris will draw a contrast between her and Trump’s economic agendas and argue that his plan would increase inflation and costs for middle-class families. She will also make the case that former president’s economic policy will impose hidden tariffs on everyday household items.