WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, May 18, 2022, U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) led twenty total Members of Congress in new bipartisan legislation urging the President to invoke the Defense Production Act to increase the production of baby formula, and the legislation will also ensure distribution to all regions of the country through federally qualified health centers.
Invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) will help speed up the production of baby formula and help increase domestic production.
“No baby in our country should go hungry and no mother or father should have to struggle to find the food to feed their child. My bipartisan legislation urges the Administration to invoke the Defense Production Act and ensure proper distribution of baby formula nationwide,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), the legislation’s lead sponsor.
“What can be more pressing than the need to replenish our supply of baby formula? Previous Administrations and the current one have used this Act to mass produce much needed items such as vaccines and ventilators,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02). “This bipartisan legislation will impact the lives of many Nebraskans and those across the country who are struggling to feed their babies. We need to act now.”
“Raising a newborn is already a difficult and stressful job for any parent, but not being able to find the appropriate formula in this country is unacceptable. We need to immediately invoke the Defense Production Act to address this crisis and provide relief to struggling families,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03).
“The United States government must use every tool available, including invoking the Defense Production Act, to quickly ramp up supply of baby formula so mothers can feed their children,” stated Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar's (FL-27). “We must continue working on a bipartisan basis to encourage the Administration to get this crisis under control.”
“Congress must work swiftly to ensure that American families can access the formula they need to feed their infants,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11). “I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation to increase domestic production of infant formula during this challenging time.”
“As a mom to beautiful girls, I know that nothing is more important than the health of our children. New parents have enough to worry about, so we must do everything we can to address the baby formula shortage—that includes invoking the Defense Production Act. Even as some in Washington are trying to divide Americans on this issue, we are coming together as Republicans and Democrats to urge the President to take decisive action to increase production,” said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06).
“There could not be a more pressing national priority than the health and well-being of America’s children, and that is why I am helping introduce this bipartisan measure which urges the President invoke DPA to address this shortage as quickly as possible so that New Hampshire families get to get the formula they need,” said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-1). “It is vital that the federal government use every tool at its disposal, and I remain committed to doing all I can to ease this burden for New Hampshire families. I continue to urge the Administration to meet this moment and take more aggressive action.”
The legislation, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, was also cosponsored by Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Ed Case (HI-01), Jim Costa (CA-16), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Elaine Luria (VA-02).
Find text to the new legislation here or here.
Original source can be found here.
