Larsen Votes to Improve Access to Formula, Support Northwest Washington Families
Last night, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported two bills to address the nationwide infant formula shortage and ensure Northwest Washington families and caregivers have access to formula for their babies to grow and thrive. Larsen also released a list of local resources for families in need of safe and affordable formula.
"I understand the impact formula shortages have had on families in Northwest Washington trying to feed their babies," said Larsen. "I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure families and caregivers can access the formula they need and to prevent a similar crisis from happening in the future."
Supply chain issues, domestic market consolidation and limitations on imports have exacerbated the ongoing formula shortage. Larsen voted for two measures to boost infant formula supply, put products back on store shelves, and address supply chain disruptions and safety recalls:
Improving Formula Supply
* Larsen voted for an emergency supplemental spending bill to provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with $28 million to help address the infant formula shortage, increase the number of FDA inspection staff, provide resources for personnel working on formula issues, help the agency stop fraudulent baby formula from entering the marketplace and improve data collection on the formula market.
Addressing Supply Chain Disruptions and Recalls
* Larsen also voted for the Access to Baby Formula Act to grant emergency authority to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to empower the federal government to relax certain non-safety-related regulations during times of shortage.
Additional Actions
* This week, Larsen urged the President to take actions to increase formula supply and continue a whole-of-government response.
* On Wednesday, the President invoked the Defense Production Act to ensure formula manufacturers have the necessary ingredients to make safe, healthy infant formula in the United States.
* The President also announced Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and get more formula to store shelves as soon as possible.
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