Keystone Today

The president of the League of American Workers (LAW) said that policies enacted by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa) and Vice President Kamal Harris (D-Pa.) have contributed to "economic misery" for Pennsylvanians.

“The policies of Kamala Harris and Bob Casey create economic misery, especially for working class citizens," LAW President Steve Cortes told Keystone Today. “Prices soar, especially for staple items like groceries."

"According to Kamala’s own Department of Agriculture, the the grocery bill for a family of four on a ‘thrifty’ plan has soared, from $675 per month when she took office, to $975 per month today, a stunning +44% jump," said Cortes.

His comments were in response to U.S. Sen. candidate Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) statement that families are getting "robbed" due to rising costs caused by the policies of Casey and Harris.

"Hard-working American families are getting robbed by rising costs thanks to Bob Casey and Kamala Harris ramming through trillions in reckless government spending," McCormick said, reported Keystone Today. "Casey’s weakness is hurting families—and it’s unfair."

As of August 2024, Pennsylvania experienced an 18.9% increase in prices of goods and services since January 2021, below the national average of 20.3%, according to the latest data from the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee.

This rate indicates a significant rise in the overall cost of goods and services, resulting in an additional monthly cost of $984.

In total, Pennsylvania families have spent an average of $24,445 per household in extra costs since January 2021.

The persistent increase in inflation has been driven by various factors, including supply chain disruptions, increased demand, and higher production costs. This overall rise in prices has placed additional financial strain on households across the state, making everyday expenses more challenging to manage.

In 2022, the high rates of inflation significantly reduced the real value of American wages, leading to widespread financial concerns, according to Statista. Many Americans expressed anxiety over the economy and reported worsening financial conditions. The inflation crisis in the United States, mirrored globally, was largely driven by COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions and the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In June 2022, the U.S. monthly inflation rate soared to a 40-year high of 9.1%, with annual inflation for the year reaching 8%. Without corresponding wage increases, Americans will continue to experience a decline in purchasing power. Since then, inflation has been cooling at a slow pace, but it still hovers above pre-pandemic levels. In June 2024, it reached 3%, with American families facing a CPI more than 20% higher than in January 2020.