Seven Tennessee representatives voted against a second bill about the baby formula shortage.
Those representatives said it’s because it isn't exclusively about putting formula on the shelves. The infant formula supplemental appropriations act is under fire after it passed through the house Wednesday in the state.
Congressman Tim Burchett of Knoxville took it to Twitter to give his thoughts.
“What the Democrat leadership did was use a bail title it something dealing with people that are genuinely hurting, and just use it as an instance to increase pay at the FDA and that ought of disgust you I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican using a real tragedy, it did nothing to put more formula on the shelves,” said Congressman Tim Burchett.
The bill is supposed address the shortage of infant formula and republicans said to read the fine print.
“For an additional amount for ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, $28,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023, shall be available to address the current short age of FDA-regulated infant formula and certain medical foods in the United States and to prevent future short ages, including such steps as may be necessary to prevent fraudulent products from entering the United States market..”
Congressman John Rose, also voted against this bill. He said congress has already given the FDA additional funding.
“As the FDA already has, the resources that they need and frankly, it's their foot dragging, that I think has helped to, you exacerbate the problem,” said John Rose.
“And so it's not clear that giving the people who caused the problem more money is going to help them solve the problem,” congressman Rose said.
FOX 17 News reached out to Tennessee representatives who voted "yes" for the bill and we have not heard back.
Other supporters say the FDA needs the money now to put the formula on shelves.
The others who voted no said the bill doesn’t help with the shortage and that they cannot agree with throwing money at the FDA.
Another bill passed through the Senate this week with bipartisan support that allows The Department of Agriculture to step in for supply chain disruptions.
Original source can be found here.
