Barry Moore blasts Democrats for ineffective solution to self-inflicted baby formula crisis

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Photo Credit: Barry Moore

Rep. Barry Moore issued a statement on H.R. 7790 – Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act. Moore blamed Democrats for letting the formula supply issue go on for months.

In February, baby formula producer Abbott Nutrition closed its doors while inspections occurred after a voluntary recall of formula. The production plant never resolved the issues, exacerbating the supply chain issues from Covid.

On Wednesday, as pressure mounted to find a solution to a months-long problem, President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supplies from overseas.

Moore was also critical of the Biden Administration because Congress has already provided funding to address supply chain issues, and they are sitting on $1 billion that the Department of Agriculture could use to address issues like this one.

“Asking taxpayers to bail the government out of a crisis it created and let fester for months is Washington at its worst,” stated Moore. “For Democrats, the only solution to every government-caused problem seems to be more government. The antidote after being poisoned is never to take a second dose.”

The FDA received a $102 million budget increase just two months ago, including $11 million specifically for maternal and infant health and nutrition.

According to Moore, House Republican proposals for strong oversight and a comprehensive approach to the problem were rejected by Democrats, including:

Forcing the FDA to develop a plan to address the shortage

Accounting for excess stocks of formula at federal agencies that could go to American households

Leveraging the federal government’s logistics capabilities to get formula to shelves as quickly as possible