Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Demanding Action From President Trump To Address The Soaring Cost Of Eggs Due To Bird Flu Outbreaks

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to demand a plan from President Trump to stop the spread of bird flu and resulting higher egg prices, restating his commitment to push for more federal resources in a bipartisan way to address this crisis. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Earlier today, I was in Upstate New York at two beloved family-owned diners, Alton’s near Buffalo, and Jines in Rochester, to call for an all-hands-on-deck approach to stop the spread of bird flu and prevent higher egg prices.

Far too many families across New York – and across the country, far too many – have been shell-shocked by higher egg prices as more bird flu outbreaks continue to happen.

But so far, it seems President Trump has not announced a plan to address the bird flu outbreak. He has spent his first week pardoning insurrectionists and firing the government’s watchdogs instead of focusing on things ordinary Americans care about, like the price of groceries.

The President owes the American people some answers: what is he going to do about the price of eggs exacerbated by bird flu? When hundreds of thousands, and even millions, of chickens die, they lay fewer eggs, and when there are fewer eggs, price goes up.

The problem is reaching crisis levels. In November, a dozen eggs cost approximately $4 at a grocery store in New York, already too high. It used to be $2 a year earlier. Now, that same dozen eggs costs $6.

And experts believe that the price of eggs could increase as much as 20% this year if outbreaks continue – meaning that the same dozen eggs would be $8!

Every day we hear about the spread of bird flu. Last week, farmers on Long Island had to slaughter 100,000 ducks – Long Island is one of the duck-producing capitals of the country – in response to another outbreak.

So, President Trump: what is your plan to stop the spread of bird flu? The more bird flu spreads, the higher egg prices will go, and the less money in people’s pockets for rent and gas and other expenses. We need some action!

Luckily we have some resources available. Last year, I helped secure over $300 million in federal funding ahead of the new administration to keep the government laser-focused on ending the bird flu crisis. And should the $300 million prove insufficient, I’ll keep working in a bipartisan way to push for more federal resources in the upcoming budget negotiations.

One thing is certain, we have a lot of budget cutters out there, none with a sharper axe than Russell Vought. The Trump Administration and Mr. Vought should not try to impound these congressionally approved funds. We know Mr. Vought wants to impound in many, many places and not spend money that's needed.

This is a small but classic example of how the federal government's action, not inaction, can get your prices lower. Real action – spending the $300 million that we put in the budget in December, and more funds if needed – can reduce bird flu. The Department of Agriculture knows how to do it – they can help farmers reduce the bird flu in their flocks, and get our prices of eggs back down again. Let's get to work.

The money is there and ready to be used. We need the federal government to work overtime with experts in the coming months keep the outbreak in check, and keep grocery prices in check for families.

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