Meanwhile, in the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is represented by vulnerable Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, costs rose 11.5% over the same 12-month period.
The latest inflation figures, especially in key states that could determine control of the Senate, highlighted the deepening political problems of President Joe Biden and his party, and explain why vulnerable Democrats have publicly sounded the alarm on the subject. Democrats desperate to maintain control of Congress are now calling on their party’s administration and leadership to help them fight price hikes harder and, in the process, cling to their seats.
Kelly told CNN that the Biden administration must “look for more opportunities to do things to reduce costs.”
“The nine percent is a pretty big figure,” Kelly added. “Families find it hard to pay for many things and have some difficult decisions to make.”
Kelly noted that he has already asked Biden to release oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve. The administration announced on March 31 that it would release one million barrels of crude a day for six months.
“I probably don’t want to end this,” Kelly told CNN. “The price of gasoline has dropped, but it’s still incredibly expensive, historically, and it’s unaffordable for many families.”
And Warnock told CNN that Congress must suspend the federal gas tax and limit insulin prices. The first idea has been rejected by the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, as it is not clear that consumers will reap the benefits, but the second could soon see action in the Senate. Warnock also called for investment in semiconductor and microchip manufacturing in the United States. Warnock said now some people have to choose between buying groceries and buying prescription drugs.
“We can do something about it and we should do it,” Warnock added.
Inflation has become the main political problem for Americans, worrying nervous Democrats who know there is no quick fix in Washington to create more supply and less demand for products. Vulnerable Democrats say inflation has dominated talks at both home and Washington, where the party is fighting internally for possible solutions with just over 110 days to go before the November election.
“These are food and gas elections,” Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer, head of the Republican National Committee of Congress, told CNN. “(The Biden administration) had these idiots talking about inflation would be transitory, and then it was Putin’s fault, and now it’s Republicans’ fault. Just look in the mirror. And you know what, in November, for they will lose that “.
For months, Democrats have released a number of reasons why costs have risen. They have blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine and causing rising food and energy prices, the pandemic to disrupt supply chains and oil companies for allegedly taking advantage of consumers, despite the protests by some prominent economists.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration gave a new defense: the latest inflation record was “obsolete” because gas prices have fallen in recent weeks.
But that response was not enough for Democrats on Capitol Hill, as Republicans continued to beat them on the issue.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, chairman of the Republican National Senate Committee, said that even if inflation were seven or eight percent, that would be “ridiculously high.”
“We’re going to win so many races on inflation,” Scott told CNN. “It’s horrible for the country. For the election, it will help us, but think of these poor families who are hurting.”
Some Democrats are starting to point the finger. New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan, a vulnerable Democrat, criticized the Biden administration’s handling of inflation and told CNN, “I have long said I thought he and the administration have been too slow. to react to it “.
The White House, which initially did not recognize the pending inflationary crisis, sent officials to Capitol Hill last month in an attempt to arm Democrats with points of discussion over rising gas prices, inflation and other economic issues . But Democrats who attended the messaging meeting said they left feeling less than satisfied, and a lawmaker said the meeting became “spicy” when it came to the question and answer part.
“I just don’t think we can try to soften things up with discussion points, like people don’t know their own lives, their own bills and their own minds … People are not stupid. It has no value to try. hide the ball, ”Michigan MP Elissa Slotkin, one of the most threatened House Democrats this fall, told CNN. “What I need is a plan. I’m not looking for courier help.”
Slotkin has called on his party leadership to hold weekly votes on bills to reduce the very high cost of consumer goods and gas prices. But some of the more realistic options, an economic package that would reduce the prices of prescription drugs and a China competition bill that includes funding for semiconductor manufacturers, are in limbo. concern for his family. The most common response was inflation (33%), followed by a number of related economic issues such as gas prices (15%), the economy (9%) and daily bills such as food (6%). ).
Since early 2021, campaigns and groups have spent $ 92 million on ads referring to inflation, more than other top-tier issues such as immigration or weapons, according to AdImpact data. Republicans have blamed Democrats for the economic mess and spent $ 54 million on the issue, more than double what Democrats have spent to defend themselves.
“This is hurting Wisconsin families, and I keep pointing out that this hasn’t just happened,” Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, a top Democrat target this fall, told CNN. “This was not just bad luck. This is caused by spending with a massive deficit. It is caused by its war on fossil fuels, which has purposely increased the cost of energy, gasoline, to all-time highs. “.
When asked if he was concerned that rising prices could hurt Democrats ’ability to keep the Senate 50-50, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, acknowledged that inflation was an “important” issue, he pointed out to some congressional bills. hopes to approve the reduction in the prices of prescription drugs, and turned to the Republican effort to eliminate the right to abortion.
“We understand that rising prices are a problem for families and we are making efforts to help families cope with these rising costs,” Peters said. “And just contrast that with Republicans, who are completely silent on how to fix anything, and in fact are engaged in extremist politics and want to take away women’s rights, and they don’t talk about issues that matter to Americans. “
Similarly, New York MP Sean Patrick Maloney, who presides over the House Democrats ’campaign arm, admitted that inflation“ is a problem ”and encouraged its members to acknowledge the suffering of Americans. while highlighting the party’s plan to give relief to consumers.
“We are working on the issue. The other party is trying to take advantage of it politically,” Maloney, who himself faces a competitive race for re-election, told reporters. “What’s the Republican plan for inflation in addition to angering people to win an election? They don’t have the faintest idea what they’re going to do to fix the economy.”
Republicans argued they had no plan to fight inflation.
“Stop deficit spending,” Johnson said. “We use the God-given natural resource we have to reduce the cost of energy. Let’s have at least work requirements for welfare payments.”
“Balance the budget. Start reducing taxes. Reduce the regulatory environment. And become energy independent,” Scott said. “That’s what you have to do and do everything you can to buy American products.”
CNN’s Manu Raju, Ariel Edwards-Levy and David Wright contributed to this report.