Haverford, Pa. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.)’s re-election campaign continues to emphasize the issue of corporate price gouging amidst rising inflation. The senator used a campaign event on Thursday to defend his tactics in fighting what he calls “greedflation” and “shinkflation,” accusing critics of misunderstanding his proposed legislation, the Price Gouging Prevention Act.
Speaking at a bar in Delaware County, just west of Philadelphia, Casey addressed supporters while protesters outside waved signs and heckled the senator with chants of “bad job Bob.” He responded by telling the audience, “A lot of them have it wrong. even very smart editorial writers, opinion writers [have] got it wrong. Read the bill.
Co-sponsored by Casey alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the Price Gouging Prevention Act was introduced in February 2024. The legislation would authorize a federal ban on “grossly excessive price increases,” enforced by both the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys-general.
Casey’s campaign has frequently focused on combating corporate greed during periods of high inflation, with critics claiming that large corporations have raised prices dishonestly to take advantage of record inflation rates following the COVID pandemic. However, multiple studies have disputed this claim, instead arguing that excessive government spending authorized by Casey and other Democrats is more likely responsible for the surge in inflation.
In response to Casey’s tactics, a political action committee (PAC) aligned with GOP opponent Dave McCormick released a 30-second ad earlier this week, using Casey’s own words against him on the issue of inflation. The advertisement cites an instance in which Casey dismissed his vote for the American Rescue Plan as having a “low risk” of exacerbating inflation.
The McCormick-aligned PAC has begun airing the ad across Pennsylvania, including the Pittsburgh area and three smaller markets: Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, and Johnstown. Former President Donald Trump is also scheduled to visit Johnstown on Friday as part of his campaign tour.
According to reports, total spending in the 2024 Senate race between Casey and McCormick is expected to reach a staggering $360 million, making it the most expensive election of its kind this cycle.
