Governor Bill Lee, Other Republican Governors Call for Federal Action on Baby Formula Shortage

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee led 18 other GOP governors in a letter to President Joe Biden to call for federal action on the ongoing baby formula shortage.

The group produced examples of specific actions Biden could take in order to ease the burden on families across the country.

For example, the letter advised Biden to suspend tariffs and other trade regulations on formulas coming from other countries.

“As conditions continue to worsen, we call on you to take action that increases formula availability while also addressing underlying regulatory barriers. Baby formula is essential to 8.2 million Americans who regularly purchase liquid or powdered formula and the estimated 53% of infants aged three months old who receive formula at some point. After months of inaction, the out-of-stock rate for baby formula now stands at 40% nationwide and up to 50% in six of our states, a crisis exacerbated by surging inflation and the rising cost of consumer goods,” the governors wrote.

“There is perhaps no singular source of nourishment more necessary for the welfare of our nation than the nutrition provided to our infants. In addition to expanding domestic production through your invoking the Defense Production Act, we believe the Administration should identify where regulatory barriers hastened this crisis.”

According to the state leaders, Biden was slow to act.

On top of the shortage, families are facing near-record prices for other goods, such as gas and groceries.

Yes, Every Kid

In addition to Lee, Republicans across the country signed the call to action: Doug Ducey (AZ), Asa Hutchinson (AR), Ron DeSantis (FL), Brian Kemp (GA), Kim Reynolds (IA), Brad Little (ID), Larry Hogan (MD), Tate Reeves (MS), Greg Gianforte (MT), Pete Ricketts (NE), Doug Burgum (ND), Chris Sununu (NH), Kevin Stitt (OK), Mike DeWine (OH), Henry McMaster (SC), Greg Abbott (TX), Spencer Cox (UT), and Mark Gordon (WY).

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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Baby Formula” by ParentingPatch. CC BY-SA 3.0.

 

 

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