Almost 30 Home Democrats are urging President Trump to fight the rising costs of eggs and argued that the chief actions he has taken since taking workplace have hindered the “government’s response to effectively address the underlying causes of this crisis.”
“Eggs are a basic necessity for families in our districts, and the financial burden caused by these surging prices must be resolved,” 28 Home Democrats, all of whom are members of the Congressional Dads Caucus, wrote in a Thursday letter to Trump that was shared with The Hill.
The letter was led by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), the chair of the caucus.
Egg costs have hit a file excessive final month. The worth tag for a dozen grade A, massive eggs was $4.95, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics knowledge. The earlier excessive was in January of 2023 when the identical quantity value $4.82.
“This was the largest increase in the eggs index since June 2015 and it accounted for about two thirds of the total monthly food at home increase,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics mentioned on Wednesday.
One of many the explanation why the worth of eggs has gone up nationwide is as a result of fowl flu outbreak. When the virus is detected on farms, usually all the birds have to be killed to assist include the unfold. Since these farms can have tens of millions of birds, one an infection can immediate a mass discount in provide.
At the least 100 million egg-laying hens have been killed because the outbreak began. Consultants together with the Division of Agriculture predicted in January that the costs of eggs might go up by 20 % in 2025. One other issue impacting the costs is that some states, together with Washington and California, require eggs offered in shops to be from cage-free chickens, which subsequently might restrict provide.
Trump has raised the potential of disbanding the Workplace of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Coverage (OPPR), which beneath the Biden administration suggested the president on “pandemic preparedness and response policy.” The president tapped Gerald Parker, an ex-top-ranking federal well being official, to guide the workplace, CBS Information reported, citing two officers.
Democrats within the letter expressed concern over the OPPR’s web site not being operational and argued that Trump’s actions “are directly contributing to this affordability crisis facing American families.”
Home lawmakers requested Trump within the letter to stipulate what the present administration is doing to cease the unfold of the fowl flu and “stabilize the egg supply.” Additionally they requested the president to substantiate that OPPR’s capabilities will proceed.
Apart from Gomez, the letter was signed by Democratic Celebration Reps. Don Beyer (Va.), Joaquin Castro (Texas), Gilbert Cisneros (Calif.), Luis Correa (Calif.), Jason Crow (Colo.), Chris Deluzio (Pa.), Dan Goldman (N.Y.), Steven Horsford (Nev.), Mike Levin (Calif.), Ted Lieu (Calif.), Seth Magaziner (R.I.), Morgan McGarvey (Ky.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), Dave Min (Calif.), Seth Moulton (Mass.), Johnny Olszewski (Md.), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.), Brittany Pettersen (Colo.), Raul Ruiz (Calif.), Suhas Subramanyam (Va.), Eric Swalwell (Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Derek Tran (Calif.), Sylvester Turner (Texas), Marc Veasey (Texas) and Eugene Vindman (Va.).
“Mr. President, you’ve got promised the American folks that you’d decrease grocery costs. It is time to ship. Households throughout the nation can’t afford extra delays or inaction,” they wrote within the letter. “This is about the health, nutrition, and financial stability of millions of Americans who are already struggling.”
The Hill has reached out to the White Home for remark.
