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    1. 5

      S.001 | Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2024

      Madam President, This bill does not scapegoat the market for inflation but addresses one specific aspect: price gouging during emergencies when families and communities are at their most vulnerable. To suggest that this bill represents a broad attack on markets distorts its purpose. But I assume the Senator from Texas already knows this since he's a smart guy. This legislation is narrowly focused on preventing predatory practices in times of crisis, not imposing sweeping price controls across all industries, as the Senator from Texas claims. It aims to protect consumers from egregious price hikes on necessities like food, fuel, and medical supplies when they need them most. This is not a radical or new concept. Thirty-nine states already have laws against price gouging during emergencies, yet we are still witnessing abuses that disproportionately harm working families. Federal standards would create consistency and fairness across the board. Now, let’s talk about this myth that grocery stores with a 1.6% profit margin are the target of this bill. The Senator claims that such a low margin constitutes price gouging under this legislation, but that is a blatant mischaracterization. We are not talking about standard operating profits; no one is accusing grocery stores of gouging customers with razor-thin margins. The issue is when prices are artificially inflated to exploit people in desperate situations. This is about bad actors, not honest businesses. History has indeed shown us that price controls can fail under certain conditions, like in the 1970s, but we must not conflate different economic policies. The price controls of that era were broad and ill-conceived, applied in a sweeping manner without regard to the specific needs of a crisis situation. This bill does not seek to impose blanket price controls but instead targets only situations of genuine emergency. It aims to prevent profiteering, not control everyday market fluctuations. And let me be clear: the claim that this legislation will lead to bankruptcies in family farms is not supported by evidence. Price gouging protections have existed in many states for years without wiping out family farms. In fact, it is often large agribusinesses that have the power to raise prices during disasters, while smaller, local businesses suffer from the disruptions in supply chains. Protecting consumers from price gouging ensures a level playing field for smaller businesses, including family farms. The Senator from Texas attempts to shift the blame for inflation to federal spending and energy policy under this administration. But this ignores the broader global economic trends, supply chain disruptions, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is about fairness, protection, and decency. In times of crisis, Americans should not have to worry about whether they can afford life-saving medicine, basic groceries, or fuel. This bill seeks to prevent abuse, not interfere with honest commerce. It’s about stopping the worst kinds of market failures when the stakes are highest. The only way we can fail today is by allowing fearmongering to prevent this body from adopting a policy that will protect American families from the worst instances of corporate greed and price-gouging. I urge my colleagues not to give in or give up, but to support the bill before us. I yield.
      Falnor in Senate Floor
    2. 8

      S.006 | Hamas Condemnation Resolution

      Madam President, I second the motion
      Redacted in Senate Floor
    3. 8

      S.006 | Hamas Condemnation Resolution

      Madam President, I stand in firm support of the right of the State of Israel to defend itself from the barbaric terrorist organization known as Hamas. This terrorist organization murdered 1,139 people, including 815 civilians. These monsters killed young people at a music festival. This organization is evil in every sense of the word and the time is now, as it has always been, to stand with the state of Israel. We must make clear to the American People that Hamas is evil and must be defeated. Our universities have become unsafe for Jewish students because of rallies of hate, cultivated by deliberate efforts to delegitimize the Israeli State. This is unacceptable and must be roundly condemned. I am hopeful to see 100 members of this chamber declare their undivided support for Israel’s right to exist and fight the scourge that is Hamas. I motion for unanimous consent. I yield.
      DMH in Senate Floor

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