Democrats Support Harris's Economic Strategy Yet Stop Short of Fully Backing Price-Gouging Measures
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was the sole individual addressing the specifics of a policy aimed at preventing price gouging.
TroibNews 
Prominent Democrats took to the airwaves on Sunday morning to support Vice President Kamala Harris' economic platform, though they were cautious in endorsing a proposed price gouging ban that has drawn criticism from Republicans and some economists.
“I think picking this one proposal of the many she’s put out misses the broader point, which is that Vice President Harris is continuing the work of President Biden in reducing costs faced by working Americans,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was an exception, speaking positively about state-level price gouging prosecutions based on his experience as the commonwealth's attorney general.
The proposed price gouging ban gained attention last week when Jason Furman, a Harvard economist with prior service in the Obama administration, told The New York Times that Harris' plan “is not sensible policy.” Additionally, the Washington Post Editorial Board characterized her economic policies as “gimmicks.”
Harris unveiled her economic platform in North Carolina on Friday, intensifying her criticism of corporations for increasing grocery prices, a significant shift from the usually cautious “Bidenomics” approach that has refrained from blaming big businesses for inflation. Her proposals emerged just days before the Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago this week, where she is expected to further articulate her vision for the party's future.
Former President Donald Trump quickly criticized Harris’ more assertive stance, telling supporters in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Saturday that while her plan might “sound good politically,” it is “very dangerous” and “communist.”
On Sunday, Trump reiterated his “communist” label for Harris by posting on X a manipulated image showing her in red at a podium with a hammer and sickle flag behind her.
While many Democrats voiced general support for Harris’ economic agenda, emphasizing her dedication to reducing costs for Americans and bolstering the middle class, they were less enthusiastic about directly backing her price gouging initiative.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer remarked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “people are reading too much into” the specifics of Harris’ proposal, stressing the importance of both “corporate responsibility” and the necessity for business growth and finding “a balance.”
“We know we have to have business growth in this country: small business growth, big business growth for good-paying jobs,” Whitmer explained. “But we also know that you can’t gouge and hurt the American consumer just to pad your bottom line.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” echoed Beshear’s comments, asserting that states have already taken action against price gouging, making it “not unreasonable” to consider federal measures as well. He highlighted Harris’ other economic initiatives, including enhancing the child tax credit and reducing housing costs.
“There are a whole host of proposals that she has put forward. I know you'd like to go to the one or two, but I just want to say that the whole panoply of them honestly is good for average everyday working Americans,” Pritzker told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Coons also redirected attention away from Republican critiques of Harris’ price gouging plan, emphasizing her proposals concerning housing and the reduction of prescription drug prices for seniors.
“Well, let’s be clear, I know Kamala Harris believes in the free market,” Coons stated. “I don’t think there’s anything communist about wanting to make housing more affordable and prescription drugs more affordable.”
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted it is “reasonable” to investigate price gouging and explore how the government can intervene, but he stopped short of fully endorsing the policy. He added that “House Democrats look forward to working with Kamala Harris to drive costs down.”
“Vice President Harris is simply saying, we have to make sure that markets are properly functioning. That's the American way,” Jeffries said during an interview with Tapper on CNN.
Beshear remained a strong proponent of the policy, likening it to similar initiatives in his own and other conservative states. He referenced the Texas Attorney General’s price gouging prosecutions, stating, “I don't think anyone is going to claim that he is into price fixing, and neither is the vice president. This has to be evidence-based," during an interview on CBS's “Face the Nation.”
He compared the platform to the price gouging statutes he pursued as attorney general, such as those concerning gas prices in Kentucky.
“It’s no different than what Teddy Roosevelt did in breaking up monopolies,” he added, invoking the actions of a Republican president from the early 20th century. “It’s just making sure we have the right regulations and tools in place to make sure everybody is playing the game fairly and by the rules.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
“I think picking this one proposal of the many she’s put out misses the broader point, which is that Vice President Harris is continuing the work of President Biden in reducing costs faced by working Americans,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was an exception, speaking positively about state-level price gouging prosecutions based on his experience as the commonwealth's attorney general.
The proposed price gouging ban gained attention last week when Jason Furman, a Harvard economist with prior service in the Obama administration, told The New York Times that Harris' plan “is not sensible policy.” Additionally, the Washington Post Editorial Board characterized her economic policies as “gimmicks.”
Harris unveiled her economic platform in North Carolina on Friday, intensifying her criticism of corporations for increasing grocery prices, a significant shift from the usually cautious “Bidenomics” approach that has refrained from blaming big businesses for inflation. Her proposals emerged just days before the Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago this week, where she is expected to further articulate her vision for the party's future.
Former President Donald Trump quickly criticized Harris’ more assertive stance, telling supporters in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Saturday that while her plan might “sound good politically,” it is “very dangerous” and “communist.”
On Sunday, Trump reiterated his “communist” label for Harris by posting on X a manipulated image showing her in red at a podium with a hammer and sickle flag behind her.
While many Democrats voiced general support for Harris’ economic agenda, emphasizing her dedication to reducing costs for Americans and bolstering the middle class, they were less enthusiastic about directly backing her price gouging initiative.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer remarked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “people are reading too much into” the specifics of Harris’ proposal, stressing the importance of both “corporate responsibility” and the necessity for business growth and finding “a balance.”
“We know we have to have business growth in this country: small business growth, big business growth for good-paying jobs,” Whitmer explained. “But we also know that you can’t gouge and hurt the American consumer just to pad your bottom line.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” echoed Beshear’s comments, asserting that states have already taken action against price gouging, making it “not unreasonable” to consider federal measures as well. He highlighted Harris’ other economic initiatives, including enhancing the child tax credit and reducing housing costs.
“There are a whole host of proposals that she has put forward. I know you'd like to go to the one or two, but I just want to say that the whole panoply of them honestly is good for average everyday working Americans,” Pritzker told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Coons also redirected attention away from Republican critiques of Harris’ price gouging plan, emphasizing her proposals concerning housing and the reduction of prescription drug prices for seniors.
“Well, let’s be clear, I know Kamala Harris believes in the free market,” Coons stated. “I don’t think there’s anything communist about wanting to make housing more affordable and prescription drugs more affordable.”
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted it is “reasonable” to investigate price gouging and explore how the government can intervene, but he stopped short of fully endorsing the policy. He added that “House Democrats look forward to working with Kamala Harris to drive costs down.”
“Vice President Harris is simply saying, we have to make sure that markets are properly functioning. That's the American way,” Jeffries said during an interview with Tapper on CNN.
Beshear remained a strong proponent of the policy, likening it to similar initiatives in his own and other conservative states. He referenced the Texas Attorney General’s price gouging prosecutions, stating, “I don't think anyone is going to claim that he is into price fixing, and neither is the vice president. This has to be evidence-based," during an interview on CBS's “Face the Nation.”
He compared the platform to the price gouging statutes he pursued as attorney general, such as those concerning gas prices in Kentucky.
“It’s no different than what Teddy Roosevelt did in breaking up monopolies,” he added, invoking the actions of a Republican president from the early 20th century. “It’s just making sure we have the right regulations and tools in place to make sure everybody is playing the game fairly and by the rules.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
