Griffith on the Formula Crisis: "No parent should have to worry about how they are going to feed their baby."

Hearing

Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader for Oversight and Investigations Morgan Griffith (R-VA) delivered opening remarks at today's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the formula shortage crisis in the United States.

Excerpts and highlights from his prepared remarks:

THE SUPPLY CRISIS FACING PARENTS

"At the House Appropriations Committee's hearing last week, Commissioner Califf told Chairwoman DeLauro that he would be prepared to go into much more detail today at our oversight hearing. I look forward to learning those details.

"Many infants in the U.S. rely on infant formula for their nutrition, and parents all over the nation are experiencing anxiety as the country faces an infant formula shortage.

"No parent should have to worry about how they are going to feed their baby. Period.

"I have heard from folks all over Southwest Virginia who are having issues providing the most basic need for their infants.

"The big question I have today is why the Biden Administration let the shortage become so dire before acting with any urgency.

"I anticipate that we will hear different excuses today and frankly I'm not interested in debating "in stock' rates or whether babies can switch from one brand to another, depending on their health needs.

"I'm looking for answers and for a long-term plan moving forward so this doesn't happen again."

THE ADMINISTRATION SAW THIS CRISIS COMING

"So how did we get here and when did this infant formula shortage begin?

"On one hand, FDA says that the shortage issue has been on their radar since March 2020.

"Furthermore, HHS Secretary Becerra said that FDA has been keeping him apprised of the situation since last year.

"On the other hand, when asked if more could have been done sooner, then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki recently said, "hindsight is always 20-20.'

"And in response to criticism that the White House was too slow to respond -- President Biden told reporters "[i]f we had been better mind readers, I guess we could've, but we moved as quickly as the problem became apparent to us.'

"So which is it? Was the administration aware that an infant formula shortage was developing for over two years and failed to take sufficient action to prevent the shortage from getting worse, or were they caught flat footed?

"Or as I think -- both. No matter the reason it's not acceptable.

"Suffice it to say, I have a lot of questions for our FDA witnesses."

THE FDA AND ADMINISTRATION'S POOR RESPONSE

"With all the stresses on infant formula, including COVID-19 disruptions in the supply chain and consumer stockpiling during the lockdowns, the availability of formula on shelves was already strained, before Abbott closed their Sturgis, Michigan facility on Feb 17th.

"Where was the Biden Administration's plan to deal with such a foreseeable event?

"We did not see a plan on February 17th or 18th or March 1st or even in April.

"In fact, FDA did not even conclude its follow-up inspection of the Sturgis plant until March 18th.

"And it wasn't apparent until mid-May that FDA and the Biden Administration took this issue seriously and began acting.

"Why did it take an onslaught of national media attention for the Biden Administration to act with the sense of urgency that is required to adequately address an infant formula shortage?

"Abbott submitted their response and corrective action plan following FDA's inspection on April 8th but not until May 16th did the FDA working with the Department of Justice issue a consent decree.

"I don't understand how FDA can justify 3 months to respond to the crisis.

"I expect to learn why FDA did not move heaven and earth in an attempt to get the Sturgis plant back up and running as soon as possible."

THE MANUFACTURERS' ROLE

"I also have questions for the infant formula manufacturers about their role in addressing this crisis -- including what can be done in the short-term to increase supply, and what will be done in the long-term to prevent something like this from ever happening again.

"I have questions for Abbott about the events that led to its shutting down of the Sturgis plant.

"I hope to hear from Abbott about the status of the plant and its ongoing efforts to safely reopen the plant."

THIS SHOULD NOT BE A CRISIS PARENTS FACE

"Being a parent brings an incredible amount of joy, excitement, and love -- but it can also be an incredibly stressful time.

"Parents should not have to be worried about how, or if, they are going to be able to feed their baby.

"The mental health challenges associated with the inability to provide nutrition for a young infant cannot be ignored. More must be done to address the current shortage and prevent future shortages.

"In closing, statements like the ones we have heard from the President and his staff -- statements like "if we had been better mind readers…' we could have acted more quickly.

"Those statements backed up by a lack of action does not inspire confidence. The American people deserve answers.

"I look forward to today's discussion and learning more about how to best address this ongoing crisis."

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