Rep. Jayapal Urges Federal Action Against Price Gouging During Hurricane Milton Evacuations

October 10 :
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), has demanded prompt federal intervention to curb price gouging by hotels and flights as Floridians get ready for Hurricane Milton. Authorities are warning that one of the greatest storms to hit Florida in a century is on the way, and reports of wildly inflated pricing are making it extremely difficult for locals to flee.

Currently, Floridians are getting ready for a storm that might end up being the worst one the state has seen in a hundred years. Residents of the Tampa area are being warned by authorities that staying indoors could result in death. "However, rather than facilitating the evacuation of people, hotels and airlines are taking advantage of this terrible situation to charge exorbitant prices that only the wealthy can afford," Jayapal stated.

Hotel rooms at the Hampton Inn can cost more than $600 per night, and plane tickets, which typically cost about $100, can cost more than $1,000. A new low has been reached in exploiting defenseless individuals escaping a catastrophic storm for increased profits, according to a statement. In a joint statement, Jayapal and many CPC members from Florida—including Maxwell Frost, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Frederica Wilson, and Darren Soto—are calling on the federal government to intervene.

She brought attention to instances of price gouging that occurred following recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and the elevated costs of groceries, gas, and lodgings in Georgia. "This egregious price-gouging hampers evacuations and undermines recovery efforts while putting vulnerable residents in serious jeopardy," said Jayapal.

She noted that these charges have been brought to the attention of U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, but she stressed the need of more government involvement. We commend Secretary Buttigieg for giving these claims his full attention. To prevent predatory price-gouging on those affected by these calamities, the entire government must work together in the days and weeks to come, Jayapal warned.

"Further action is still needed from the federal government to stop the corporate exploitation that impacts all areas of American life, whether at the grocery store or gas station." A federal prohibition on price gouging, more antitrust regulations, and improved enforcement methods are all demands of Jayapal and her colleagues. Jayapal further stated, "Congress must reassert its role in this space," a cause to which the CPC is fiercely dedicated and is already working.