NORFOLK, Va. - Local members of Congress met with the business community on Monday to provide updates on their work in Washington and how it's impacting Hampton Roads.
Reps. Elaine Luria, Donald McEachin, Bobby Scott and Rob Wittman attended a forum in Downtown Norfolk with the Hampton Roads Chamber.
Each will talked about their work and answer questions from the audience.
Afterwards, News 3 asked each about their plans to address rising prices and inflation.
Prices have risen across the board over the past year, including for food by more than 5% and there have beenlarge increases in gas prices and for used cars, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"It's tough in the holidays to see that you're paying more for gas to see your family," Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.) said.
She's calling on the Biden administration to dip into petroleum reserves to help lower prices.
"I'm encouraging the administration to push that to get those prices down," she said.
The members pointed to supply chain issues as the culprit for the higher prices, along with a labor shortage.
"Right now, there's demand for goods and the supply isn't there," said Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.).
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) said ports need to cut down on backlogs to help increase the flow of materials.
"That in it of itself reduces supply. When supply is low and demand is high, we see what we have before us today," Wittman said.
Still, the Democratic members expressed optimism this could be temporary.
"This time next year, things will be back to normal," said Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.).
Related: Soaring prices leave Virginians with sticker shock as holidays near
