Fact Check: The Biden Administrations policies helped costs for groceries and gas go upwards

Fact Check: "The Biden Administration's policies helped costs for groceries and gas go upwards"

What We Know

The claim that the Biden Administration's policies have contributed to rising costs for groceries and gas is a contentious issue. According to the Food Price Outlook from the USDA, food prices have indeed increased over the past few years, with a notable rise of 9.9% in 2022 alone. This increase was attributed to various factors, including supply chain disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine war, which affected food supply and prices. In 2023, food prices rose by 5.8%, and the forecast for 2025 indicates a continued increase, albeit at a slower rate of about 2.9% for all food items.

On the gas front, various sources, including a report from Americans for Prosperity, argue that certain policies enacted by the Biden Administration, such as regulatory changes and a focus on transitioning to electric vehicles, have contributed to higher energy costs. Critics claim that these policies have led to increased prices for gas and other energy-related expenses.

Conversely, some analyses suggest that the overall energy production in the U.S. has increased, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration reporting record levels of natural gas and crude oil production in 2024. This indicates that while prices may be high, the supply of energy has not necessarily diminished.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Biden's policies have led to increased grocery and gas prices is mixed. The USDA's Food Price Outlook provides a clear picture of rising food costs, but it also highlights that these increases are influenced by a variety of factors beyond government policy, including global events and market dynamics. The significant rise in food prices in 2022, for instance, was largely driven by external shocks rather than domestic policy alone.

On the other hand, the Americans for Prosperity report lists specific Biden Administration policies that they argue have contributed to rising energy costs. These include regulatory measures that they claim have stifled domestic energy production. However, this source may have a partisan bias, as it is associated with a political advocacy group that opposes the Biden Administration's policies.

Moreover, a fact-check by WQAD indicates that while there are claims linking the Biden Administration to higher grocery and gas prices, the reality is more complex. Factors such as global supply chain issues and the aftermath of the pandemic also play significant roles in price increases.

The reliability of sources varies; while government reports like the USDA's are generally considered credible, partisan sources may have inherent biases that affect their conclusions. Therefore, while there is some evidence to suggest that certain policies may have contributed to rising costs, attributing these increases solely to the Biden Administration's actions oversimplifies a multifaceted issue.

Conclusion

The claim that "The Biden Administration's policies helped costs for groceries and gas go upwards" is Partially True. While there is evidence that some policies may have contributed to rising costs, particularly in the energy sector, numerous external factors also play significant roles in these price increases. The complexity of the economic landscape means that attributing rising costs to government policy alone does not fully capture the reality of the situation.

Fact Check: The Biden Administrations policies helped costs for groceries and gas go upwards