Lisa McCormick calls Congressman Andy Kim "tone deaf" on inflation

In response to his recent statement touting his achievements in lowering everyday costs for families, Lisa McCormick, a likely rival for the 2024 Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, declared that Congressman Andy Kim is "tone deaf" to the struggles of families grappling with skyrocketing inflation.

McCormick, the progressive activist who earned 38 percent of the vote on a campaign budget of less than $5000 in the 2018 Democratic primary when Kim was a running mate of corrupt US Senator Bob Menendez, called the Congressman's assertions "disconnected from the economic realities faced by everyday Americans."

"While Congressman Kim claims to be proud of lowering everyday costs for families, he seems oblivious to the fact that inflation is crushing households across New Jersey," said Lisa McCormick. "Families are not going to buy the lie that he made life more affordable when, in reality, his tenure has coincided with record-high inflation and a growing national debt."

McCormick pointed out a specific instance of the impact of inflation on New Jersey's minimum wage, set to rise to $15.13 per hour on January 1. "When Governor Murphy signed the incremental measure into law, it was intended to improve the lives of our working-class citizens. However, due to the unchecked inflation that Congressman Kim seems not to have noticed, that $15.13 is now equivalent to just $13 in real purchasing power."

Kim voted for the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed into law in August 2022, and he takes credit for it, calling the measure "legislation that will lower costs for you and your family."

McCormick argued this is a handout that allocates over $50 billion in subsidies and tax breaks to large corporations that can already afford to invest in building or expanding fabrication plants in the US, wasting taxpayer money and potentially stifling innovation from smaller players.

McCormick said Congress could lower costs for our families by enacting universal health insurance such as expanded and improved Medicare for All, which is a proposal that is opposed by the other three likely contenders for the 2024 Democratic nomination, RepresentativeKim, Senator Menendez, and First Lady Tammy Murphy.

In contrast to Kim's self-congratulatory tone, McCormick highlighted the pressing issues that Kim's leadership has failed to address adequately despite his promise that, "Every family should have access to affordable childcare, healthcare, and food."

"Despite his claim about accomplishing the goal 'to lower costs, save people money, and lower the national debt,' inflation is near record highs, and the national debt increased by $12 trillion since January 2019," said McCormick. "The reality is that there are no people saving money except for the kind of millionaires and billionaires who gave Andy Kim's campaign one million dollars in a single week."

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased significantly --by 19.4%-- since Kim was sworn into Congress in January 2019. The latest data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that a basket of goods and services that cost $100 in January 2019 would have cost $119.40 in November 2023.

McCormick, who has consistently advocated for the needs of the working class and earned significant support in her previous campaigns, concluded, "It's time for a leader who truly understands the struggles of everyday families and can deliver real solutions. Congressman Kim's out-of-touch rhetoric does nothing to address the urgent economic challenges facing our communities."

Lisa McCormick is committed to bringing a fresh perspective to the U.S. Senate, prioritizing the concerns of the people, and championing policies that genuinely improve the lives of New Jersey residents. For more information, visit www.lisamccormick.org.