Sponsors (9)
The bill directs a fast, 180-day GAO study of 20 years of CPI 'food at home' trends that could help lower household food costs through informed policy but may create compliance costs for producers and draw GAO resources away from other oversight.
Low-income and middle-class households could see lower 'food at home' costs if GAO's evidence-based recommendations lead to policy changes.
Congress (and state policymakers) will receive a 180-day GAO analysis of 20 years of CPI 'food at home' trends to better inform policy decisions.
Food producers and retailers — and therefore consumers like middle-class families — could face new regulations or compliance costs that raise prices.
Taxpayers could see GAO resources and staff time diverted to complete the study within 180 days, potentially reducing attention to other oversight work.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Comptroller General to study 20 years of CPI "food at home" data and report findings and recommendations to specified congressional committees within 180 days.
Official title: To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on grocery costs to United States consumers, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 31, 2025 by Patrick Ryan · Last progress January 31, 2025
Requires the Government Accountability Office (Comptroller General) to study changes in the Consumer Price Index category “food at home” over the 20 years before the law’s enactment, including related economic metrics as needed, and to deliver findings and recommendations to three specified congressional committees within 180 days. The study is informational: it does not itself change benefits, taxes, or regulatory authority but aims to inform future congressional action on grocery and food prices.