Alabama Republicans say ‘Bidenomics’ made Thanksgiving prices skyrocket. Are they right?

It’s that time of year again - when friends and relatives, Republicans and Democrats, gather together to use Thanksgiving Day prices to score political points.

Alabama’s GOP Congressional delegation says “Bidenomics” are to blame for the holiday meal costing 20 to 25% more than it has in recent years.

“Thanks to Bidenomics, as Americans gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, they’ll have to pay 20% more for everything from the turkey to cranberry sauce,” Sen. Katie Britt tweeted.

“Americans will pay 25% more for their Thanksgiving dinner than in 2019,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville added. “Bidenomics continues to devastate our hardworking citizens, especially during the holidays.”

“On this day before Thanksgiving, there is a lot of grocery shopping happening. And in just four years, the cost of a typical Thanksgiving meal has shot up 25%. This is the result of the inflation caused by Bidenomics,” Rep. Robert Aderholt posted.

Rep. Jerry Carl went as far as to say, “This year will be the most expensive Thanksgiving in history.”

Former Sen. Doug Jones , the last Democrat from Alabama to hold that office, replied that Carl was incorrect.

“Whether you are eating or traveling or both, costs are down this year no thanks to Republicans in Congress,” Jones tweeted.

This year will be the most expensive Thanksgiving in history thanks to Bidenomics.

Turkey prices are up 7.2%
Sugar prices are up 8.8%
Frozen vegetable prices are up 10.7%

Americans cannot afford inflation caused by Biden’s big spending.

— Rep. Jerry Carl November 21, 2023

Bidenomics is taking a bite out of Thanksgiving budgets across the country... pic.twitter.com/VrC37AbHyD

— Rep. Barry Moore November 22, 2023

The Biden Administration has its own interpretation of prices.

Their take? Prices are down.

Who’s right? Turns out - both.

The American Farm Bureau Federation every year tracks average Thanksgiving prices in American households. And while prices are down from last year’s historic highs, they still represent a strain on many pocketbooks.

Ahead of the holiday season, costs are down for everything from airline tickets and car rentals to toys and TVs.

The Biden-Harris Administration is working every day to create more breathing room for hardworking families. pic.twitter.com/GH3OSERTIu

— The White House November 21, 2023

According to the AFBF, the average cost of a classic holiday feast for 10 is $61.17, or less than $6.20 per person. That’s for a menu of turkey, cranberries, sweet potatoes, carrots and celery, green peas, rolls, cube stuffing and pie ingredients.

The grand total represents a 4.5% decrease from last year’s record-high average of $64.05, but is still 25% higher than it was in 2019. The AFBF attributes the price rise to high supply costs and inflation.

The Farm Bureau price survey also includes an expanded menu including boneless ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans. Adding these foods to the classic spread increased the overall cost by $23.58, to $84.75.

The bureau has done the survey every year since 1986. Farm Bureau “volunteer shoppers” checked prices in all 50 states from Nov. 1 through 6.

The most expensive item, the turkey, has an average price for a 16-pounder at $27.35, a decrease of $1.71 per pound, or 5.6% from last year. And the bureau says prices have declined further in the past two weeks.