Prominent Democrats endorse Harris' price gouging plan, reject price control criticism

Democratic lawmakers and a former Virginia governor threw their full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris’ price gouging ban and rejected the argument that it amounts to price controls.

Catherine Rampell, a Washington Post columnist, wrote that Harris' proposed price controls plays into former President Donald Trump, now her GOP presidential rival, labeling her a communist.

"When your opponent calls you ‘communist,’ maybe don’t propose price controls?" read the headline of the opinion piece.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. and Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich. and Terry McAuliffe, former Virginia governor each endorsed Harris’ plan, which would mainly apply to groceries and food products, during interviews at the party’s convention in Chicago. They said her plan doesn't amount to price fixing.

"It's not price controls," said Kildee. "This would be similar to what many of us pursued during the COVID when the oil and gas industry was spiking gas prices, despite the fact that the barrel price hadn't changed."

Durbin said also said her plan is not about price controls.

"Take a look at the profit margins of the major food companies," he said.

Video of the interviews can be viewed above.