House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and 106 of her House Republican colleagues are demanding that President Biden and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) answer vital questions on the baby formula shortage in the United States. In a letter to the administration, the members are seeking a clear plan from President Biden on how he will address this national crisis.
“Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee led a letter with 106 GOP lawmakers to the White House and the FDA commissioner Robert M. Califf Wednesday seeking data on the nationwide shortages and demanding answers as to what the administration is doing to address the empty store shelves.
“‘This issue is a matter of life and death, and it is time this administration treats it with the appropriate urgency it deserves,’ the lawmakers wrote in a letter obtained first by Fox News Digital.”
“Parents across the nation have been panicked and desperate as supply disruptions and a massive safety recall by manufacturer Abbott have created widespread shortages. For the first week of May, the nationwide out-of-stock percentage for baby formula rose to 43%, according to Datasembly, which tracks product data for retailers. That’s up from 30% at the start of April.”
With Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and her Republican colleagues, E&C Republican Leader Rodgers also advocated for parents at a press conference today. For parents who are unable to find formula and paying record-high prices, Leader Rodgers urged the Biden administration to reverse its inflation, supply chain, and energy crises that are making this shortage worse.
WATCH:
“In Washington state, moms, support groups, nurses, have been telling me that this [baby formula] shortage is the biggest crisis that they have faced as they face the shortage of baby formula.
“Families are turning to the internet because they are so desperate. It is extremely dangerous.
“Moms and dads should be able to walk into the grocery store and find the formula their baby needs. They shouldn’t have to drive hours paying record-high gas prices, only to find more empty shelves.
“They shouldn’t have to be rationing formula to keep their babies fed.
“Some families rely on specific formula – they can’t simply grab whatever is in stock. I talked with one mom who has a baby with allergies and it’s extremely difficult. It’s like playing Russian roulette as she goes to the store.
“President Biden and the FDA must do more. This is a matter of life or death.”
“What will it take for the Biden administration to reverse its inflation, supply chain, and energy crises that are making this shortage worse?
“On the Energy and Commerce Committee and our colleagues in the conference, we are asking the questions.
“We’ve been raising the alarm to President Biden for months. We’ve been seeing the empty shelves. We’ve been seeing the rising costs on families.
“We also have concerns about the Abbott recall and how it is impacting shortages.
“On behalf of every parent and caregiver who is unsure as to whether they will be able to feed their children, we need answers and we need accountability.”
CLICK HERE to read the letter to President Biden and FDA Commissioner Califf.
CLICK HERE to watch today’s press conference.
Original source can be found here.
