CSPAN - Washington Journal Open Phones
Aired: 2025-11-17
Duration: 02:58


=== Price Affordability Debate (02:58) ===

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[00:01:16]  Here's the headline from today's Wall Street Journal.
[00:01:19]  The president grasps for ways to lower prices.
[00:01:22]  This is what the story notes.
[00:01:24]  A proposal to give Americans direct payments of $2,000 or more.
[00:01:28]  An antitrust probe into allegations that meat packing companies are colluding to drive up beef prices.
[00:01:33]  And a new plan to lower tariffs on coffee, fruit, and other popular products.
[00:01:37]  President Trump and his advisors are rushing to try to lower prices for U.S. consumers after voters sent a warning shot to Republicans this month over the high cost of living.
[00:01:47]  Following the recent election, President Trump's aides have urged the president to focus on affordability, and they're drawing up plans to attempt to address voter frustrations.
[00:01:56]  That from the Wall Street Journal today, the president last week on Fox News had this to say about the issue of affordability.
[00:02:05]  Their line is price is affordability.
[00:02:07]  That's the new word, affordability.
[00:02:09]  It's much less expensive under Trump.
[00:02:12]  And I haven't been here long.
[00:02:13]  Nine months is not a long time.
[00:02:16]  But look at what I've done to energy.
[00:02:17]  Look at the price of gasoline.
[00:02:19]  Going from $4.50 to $250 or $270, it's going to be $2 gasoline.
[00:02:24]  People want affordable.
[00:02:25]  Well, the economy is my thing.
[00:02:26]  And we have the greatest economy in history.
[00:02:28]  Are Republicans not selling it on?
[00:02:30]  The Republicans don't talk about it.
[00:02:32]  So they need to do a better job on Capitol Hill if they're not going to be able to do it.
[00:02:34]  The Democrats give false talk and the Republicans, and I say it all the time, Republicans have to talk about the fact that prices are down.
[00:02:44]  We are going to lead this here and take you live to the U.S. House, where members are delivering general speeches.
[00:02:49]  This is live coverage of the House here on C-SPAN.
[00:02:57]  The House will be in order.