By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters] -Fourteen U.S. House Democratic members asked Hertz General Holdings (OTC) questions on Friday. Avis Budget (NASDAQ) Group will answer your questions on rising car rental prices and greater industry profits.

Raja Krishnamoorthi is the chairman of Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy. Representative Katie Porter says both car rental companies used their market position in order to raise costs as they fell.

In a statement, they stated that they need documents from both companies by April 1, “explaining the rises in rental car costs despite falling cost” and a list of all known investigations into these price hikes.

The companies didn’t immediately reply to our requests for comment.

In letters to lawmakers, they stated that financial results suggested the firm “may not have prioritized maximum profits.

shareholder payouts at consumers’ expense” and “may have

Participated in predatory business practices, profiting from customers who depend on low-cost rental cars during the pandemic.

Hertz recorded a fourth quarter adjusted profit of record as rental car demand remained strong. However, Hertz suffered large losses due to post-bankruptcy restructuring expenses.

Avis Budget said in February it had record revenues https://ir.avisbudgetgroup.com/news-releases/news-release-details/avis-budget-group-reports-record-revenues-net-income-and and net income in the quarter ending Dec. 31.

Analysts say the industry’s dramatic increase in vehicle prices is responsible for the higher revenues. Customers are returning to the rental counters for business and leisure travel.