Deluzio, Kelly Introduce Bill to Address Cost of Living Emergency in America
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced legislation to address the cost of living emergency that American families are facing right now as the price of basic goods and utility bills go up and outpace paychecks. The Cost-of-Living Emergency Act puts the focus on American families, not Wall Street, and makes it easier to hold accountable any corporation that price-gouges, to prevent sudden spikes in household bills, and to provide immediate relief when essential costs rise.
“In Western Pennsylvania and across the country: people are working hard, following the rules, but still cannot afford their lives—and don’t get their earned slice of the American Dream,” said Congressman Deluzio. “This country is in a cost of living emergency, and it’s time that Washington prioritizes it like the top issue it is for hardworking Americans. I am proud to join Senator Mark Kelly to introduce this Cost-of-Living Emergency Act. Let’s get the Congress muscling up the American Dream and making life less of a ripoff.”
“Families in Arizona and across the country are constantly doing kitchen table math trying to figure out how to cover the groceries on a given week or deciding whether to pay bills now or push them to the next month. This is an emergency,” said Sen. Kelly. “This bill will make Washington finally focus on the economic issues that impact hard working Americans, not just the stock market.”
“Our members are working hard, doing everything right, and still struggling to keep up with the rising cost of groceries, housing, and health care. Senator Kelly’s Cost-of-Living Emergency Act recognizes what workers have been saying for years: this is an emergency, and it’s time for real action. We support this effort to hold corporations accountable, bring down costs, and give working people and their families a fair shot at getting ahead,” said Jim McLaughlin, President of UFCW Local 99 and President of Arizona AFL-CIO.
“I spent years working in the grocery store industry and I know what it means to stretch every paycheck just to get by. When people are forced to choose between paying bills or putting food on the table, that’s an emergency. Senator Kelly’s Cost-of-Living Emergency Act treats it that way send focused on the real solutions to lower costs and make life more affordable for working people. That's the kind of leadership we need right now,” said Fred Yamashita, Secretary-Treasurer & Executive Director of Arizona AFL-CIO.
The AFL-CIO is also a supporter of the Cost-of-Living Emergency Act.
The Cost-of-Living Emergency Act recognizes that the federal government should respond immediately to bring down costs for the American people. During the period outlined in the bill, the following actions must be taken:
Restructures the Council of Economic Advisors: Requires the White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) to prioritize economic analysis focused on the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, health care, and transportation. The bill requires the Administration to name a special advisor to lead on each of these areas. The special advisors will coordinate interagency efforts to reduce costs, host public listening sessions, and provide reports to Congress.
Establishes a Cost-of-Living Emergency Office: Establishes a new office at the White House to coordinate government-wide efforts to lower costs. The office must also produce a quarterly “State of Household Budgets” report to track whether wages are keeping up with regular costs.
Requires Household Costs Impact Statements: Requires the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to include a “Household Costs Impact Statement” alongside each new regulation promulgated during the cost-of-living emergency.
Mandates Emergency Enforcement of Price Gouging Laws: Establishes a joint task force between the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate suspected anticompetitive, deceptive, unfair and illegal pricing practices such as price gouging, price-fixing, and price discrimination for essential goods and services.
Invokes the Defense Production Act: Utilizes the Defense Production Act to identify and mitigate supply chain bottlenecks. Any activity undertaken under this authority must be supported by empirical data that shows it will lower costs.
- Creates a Congressional Cost-of-Living Commission: This 12-member bipartisan commission will develop legislative proposals for actions to lower costs for American families, which may be considered through expedited procedures.
Click here for the full text of the bill and click here for a summary.
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