U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th Connecticut, is campaigning for another term in Congress. He faces a challenge from former Darien first selectman, Jayme Stevenson, a Republican who is also running on the Independent Party line.
Both candidates agreed to answer several questions on the issues from The Sun, which will be run as separate articles leading to Election Day on Nov. 8.
Gas prices have gone up and down and inflation is on the rise. What can Congress do to stabilize the situation and make things more affordable for taxpayers?
Stevenson: My education and work experience in the financial industry gave me a solid foundation to implement sound economic policy, which is in stark contrast to the current administration and my opponent who sits on the Financial Services Committee.
Americans are seeing the price of everyday goods skyrocket because of out of control
government spending. Yet in 2021, Jim Himes supported a $1.9 trillion spending spree
which even his party’s economic advisors said would increase inflation.
Then, to make matters worse, Himes supported another blowout spending bill this August. He defended it by saying the Inflation Reduction Act will only benefit families and businesses “in the longer run.” Connecticut can’t wait for the “longer run.” We need real relief now.
The solution to inflation is to stop printing money. The current administration has
proven unable to be responsible stewards of monetary policy. When I am in Congress, I
will use my experience as a 10-year municipal CEO to review each and every bill and
ensure we are fighting, not fueling inflation.
Himes: High gas prices have been a real problem for Americans over the past year, and unfortunately, there are many factors outside of our control such as the need to cut Russia’s production out of the market as long as they are brutally attacking Ukraine.
Congress has been working hard to deliver short-term relief to customers, and we are already seeing prices decrease across the country, but in the long run, the greatest thing we can do to stabilize the situation is to wean our reliance on non-sustainable energy sources, particularly foreign ones.
Unfortunately there is more to inflation than gas prices.