House Democrats Propose $28 Million Bill To Address Baby Formula Shortage
A baby formula shortage has been impacting families across the country and House Democrats are now offering a solution, which will likely be blocked by Republicans.
According to CBS News, on May 17, House Democrats introduced a bill that would give $28 million to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the baby formula shortage crisis.
"The stories of mothers and fathers struggling to find formula and the images of empty store shelves are heartbreaking. Parents and caretakers across the country cannot wait — they need our support now," Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.
The goal of the legislation is to prevent fraudulent formula products from going into grocery stores, obtain better data on the formula marketplace, stimulate the workforce focused on problems with baby formula and increase FDA inspection staff.
Republicans quickly spoke out and made it clear they plan to oppose the bill. Rep. Tom Cole, Republican of Oklahoma, said during a Rules Committee hearing, “This bill is yet another case of creating the appearance of responding without actually doing anything, and I, for one, am frustrated. I have a hard time trusting these guys, given the mess we’re in now, without having a lot more specific language in the bill.”
Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee, complained that the bill “essentially constitutes a blank check for the FDA.”
Families with infants have been dealing with a national infant formula shortage that has hit households at the same time as inflation and record gas prices. In addition to supply chain issues, some infant formulas have been taken off the shelves due to safety issues. According to The Washington Post, this formula shortage not only impacts the health of infants, but also that of older children and adults who suffer severe food allergies.
