Did Democrats Make Inflation Worse?

<p>Inflation in the United States has been getting worse. In December, prices were up 7 percent from the previous year — the fastest rise in 40 years. </p><p>Americans feel terrible about the economy, imperiling the Democratic Party’s chances of holding on to power in Washington in this year’s midterm elections.</p><p>While disruption caused by the pandemic is a key cause of higher prices — a situation that predates the Biden administration — a question remains: How much have the Democrats’ own policies contributed to the problem?</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/ben-casselman?smid=pc-thedaily">Ben Casselman</a>, an economic and business reporter for The New York Times.</p><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Prices in the United States are rising rapidly, wages are growing and consumers are glum as a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/business/pce-inflation-federal-reserve.html?smid=pc-thedaily">fraught economic moment poses big challenges for policymakers</a>.</li><li>President Biden <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/27/business/economy/biden-economy-politics.html?smid=pc-thedaily">is suffering in the polls as high inflation saps confidence</a> in the economy, even as growth comes in strong.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>