WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined Mike Lee (R-UT) in co-sponsoring the Fixing Our Regulatory Mayhem Upsetting Little Americans (FORMULA) Act to combat baby formula shortages by increasing access to foreign-made baby formula. The bill temporarily waives current trade protections, such as tariffs and quotas, on formula imports to increase supply, lower costs, and put formula back on the shelves.
“No mom should have to fear whether or not she will have enough formula for her child,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The Biden administration knew the shortage was coming, but they did nothing. Once more, they have mismanaged an impending crisis.”
“American babies are going hungry and the federal government is standing in the way. Current policies, tariffs, quotas, bans, and regulations are preventing mothers and fathers from being able to make the best choices to feed their babies. My FORMULA Act will give these families relief during this unprecedented shortage. Congress needs to pass this bill immediately to protect American babies from going hungry,” said Senator Lee.
Recent shortages come after a recall and temporary closure of a major American formula factory, but highlight systemic weaknesses in this vital supply chain.
The FORMULA Act would also waive regulations that prevent the importation of safe baby formula from abroad. This would allow American families to access safe and plentiful formula manufactured in Europe and elsewhere during the current shortage. The bill will also allow Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program recipients to use vouchers to purchase formula from any producer rather than be limited to the brand or product listed on specific vouchers, which may be unavailable.
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