WASHINGTON, D.C. - You might have noticed prices are climbing at the grocery store and the gas pumps. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced inflation has had the fastest rate increase in 40 years.  Our local congressional members are voicing their concerns over the increasing inflation rate.  

“The worst inflation in 40 years,” said Sen. Pat Toomey (R- PA).  

Our local congressional members are sounding the alarm on inflation. 

“Now wages are rising, but inflation is rising faster, and that means workers are falling further and further behind in the Biden economy,” said Toomey.   

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said inflation rose to 7.5 percent in the past 12 months. One of the sharpest increases in nearly 40 years.  

Economists said the high inflation could be caused by our economy recovering from the pandemic, combining troubles with the supply chain keeping goods in short supply which is pushing up the prices. Making things like gas, groceries and rent more expensive.   

Local republican congressional reps are blaming the Biden administration for the inflation issues. 

Congressman Mike Kelly (R- PA) released this statement: 

“Inflation is wiping out real wage growth Americans have gained since we passed the 2017 tax reform law. Inflation is effectively a tax on all Americans who are paying more for everything from groceries to gas. By spending trillions of dollars when the economy was already recovering from the pandemic, the Biden administration’s economic policies are making inflation even worse.” 

“We're dealing with inflation because of the disastrous policies of the Biden administration,” said Rep. Fred Keller (R- PA). “From day one, and it has implications here at home, and implications around the globe.” 

Congressman Glenn Thompson (R- PA) released this statement: 

"A little over a year into the Biden presidency and the country is experiencing the highest inflation in four decades. With skyrocketing costs of everything from groceries to gasoline, there's a real strain on family budgets. The majority of businesses I've met with have concerns over interruptions in the supply chain, and this uncertainty adds to costs passed on to consumers. Couple this with workforce shortages and pandemic mandates that are keeping people out of work, it becomes very clear that Pelosi, Schumer and Biden are the wrong choice to get America back on the right track."  

Democratic Senator Bob Casey (D- PA) released this statement: 

“American families are feeling the crunch of rising prices at the gas pump and the grocery store as our economy roars back from the pandemic recession. Even though inflation is still projected to ease considerably by the end of the year, families need relief now. They need action. The latest Consumer Price Index data proves that we must make generational investments in families, from an expanded Child Tax Credit to universal pre-K. Inflation is a global challenge, but the federal government has the ability and the responsibility to shield American families from the worst of it by lowering costs.” 

Economists predict these inflation rates could stay up for awhile.