Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., says "skyrocketing inflation" under President Joe Biden has impeded Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.
Scott released a statement after the Labor Department announced Wednesday that U.S. producer prices increased more than expected in September amid strong gains in the costs of services and goods, suggesting inflation could remain uncomfortably high.
"Skyrocketing inflation has been hurting Florida families every day for nearly two years," Scott said in his statement. "But, when times get tough, inflation becomes an unbearable kick for families trying to get back on their feet.
"Make no mistake — Joe Biden's skyrocketing inflation is a huge roadblock for so many families now fighting to recover from Hurricane Ian.
"Nevertheless, we won't allow Biden's failures to keep Florida down. Floridians are strong, and we are so grateful for all of the nonprofits and volunteers who are selflessly serving families across Florida who have been devastated by Hurricane Ian."
The producer price index (PPI) increased 8.5%. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the PPI rising 0.2% and climbing 8.4% year over year.
Scott's release cited several consumer products with their year-over-year price increases for September:
- Corn: +36.5%
- Coal: +53.8%
- Grains: +30.4%
- Eggs: +97.3%
- Turkeys: +38.2
- Home heating oil: +73.2%
- Construction: +23.1%
Homes, restaurants, and businesses were ripped apart after Ian made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 26. The death toll from the storm soared above 100 in Florida on Monday, officials said.
Officials have said it could take months — and perhaps $50 billion or more — to rebuild Florida's devastated coastal zones.
"Everyone is working to deliver more with dollars that buy less," Scott said. "Together, Floridians will get through this difficult recovery, and in Washington, I'll be fighting as hard as ever to get reckless spending under control and end the crushing pain caused by Biden's raging inflation."
Scott previously said that as Biden goes "woke," Florida families "go broke."
"Families in my state and all across the country don't want a consolation prize, they want lower prices," Scott said in a statement last month after the Labor Department announced a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase that resulted in food prices reaching an inflationary level not seen since 1979.
"But, instead of helping them and changing course, Joe Biden is a do-nothing President that is completely controlled by the radical left socialists in his party."
AFP contributed to this story.