In a bold move to protect American consumers, Vice President Kamala Harris has announced her plans to propose the first-ever federal ban on "corporate price-gouging in the food and grocery industries." The Harris campaign issued a statement on Wednesday, highlighting the need to differentiate between fair pricing in competitive markets and excessive prices unrelated to the costs of doing business.

Acknowledging the impact of skyrocketing grocery bills on Americans, Harris aims to address this issue as part of her broader economic policy platform. She is set to unveil the comprehensive plan on Friday during a campaign rally in North Carolina, a key battleground state.

If elected president, Harris pledges to direct her administration to scrutinize potential mergers between large supermarkets and food producers. Specifically, her focus will be on identifying any risks that such mergers could pose in terms of raising grocery prices for consumers. This commitment underlines Harris's dedication to maintain competitive markets and protect consumers from price manipulation.

While this regulatory proposal marks one of the earliest efforts of the Harris campaign to outline an independent economic platform, it remains aligned with President Joe Biden's agenda. The Biden administration has consistently emphasized consumer protections across various industries and has actively fought against colossal corporate mergers. In fact, earlier this year, the White House launched the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing, a joint initiative between the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission.

Highlighting the meat industry's pricing practices, Harris will emphasize the impact of soaring meat prices on Americans' grocery bills. Her campaign points out that meat processing companies have reaped record-breaking profits following the pandemic, leading to substantial increases in prices for consumers. Harris's proposals will aim to curb these excessive costs and create a fairer marketplace for consumers.

However, the scope of Harris's economic plan extends beyond the food and grocery industries. She also plans to introduce measures to lower consumer costs in two additional sectors where corporations have wielded their pricing power: prescription drugs and housing. By addressing these areas, Harris aims to alleviate the financial burdens on families and ensure that Americans have greater access to affordable essential goods and services.

Harris's announcement comes shortly after her opponent, former President Donald Trump, delivered an economic policy speech in North Carolina, where he attributed the high price of consumer goods to Harris's liberal extremism. While Trump continues to hold an advantage over Democrats when it comes to voter perception of who would be best for the economy, Harris has already eroded Trump's lead in national and swing state polls, showcasing the growing support for her economic policies.

With her proposed federal ban on corporate price-gouging in the food and grocery industries, Vice President Kamala Harris seeks to provide consumers with much-needed relief. As she unveils her comprehensive economic platform, all eyes will be on her commitment to fostering fair competition, protecting consumers' wallets, and creating a more equitable marketplace for all Americans.