Harris’ Much-Hyped Price-Gouging Ban Is Set to Disappoint Voters

In a campaign ad that has been blasting across swing states, Kamala Harris says she would “lower your food and grocery bills by going after price gougers,” later adding, “You work hard for your paycheck. You should get to keep more of it.”

But if the vice president triumphs in November in the US presidential election, she’ll face a tough challenge making sure a winning political message doesn’t end up a letdown.

That’s because her plan for a federal price-gouging ban is narrowly targeted for crises like the pandemic or emergency situations like those that have unfolded around Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, ...