The want answers now!
Democrats and Republicans are being consumed by a national shortage of infant formula, attempting to wrestle control of a problem that is years in the making.
Republicans blame Biden for the shortage, saying the situation is part of the fall-out from his economic policies, exacerbated by his administration’s lack of action when problems first emerged.
The White House, for its part, has been scrambling to increase the production of infant formula while Democratic lawmakers raise antitrust concerns about an industry dominated by four companies.
The disastrous shortage was created by the perfect storm, as problems with infant formula stocking rates materialized last summer, according to data from Datasembly. The problems worsened when Abbott Nutrition products were recalled in February following the death of two infants and other infants hospitalized.
Since February, Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan, plant — which supplies most of the company’s infant formula — has been closed following an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration.
Now, the company is in talks with the FDA to reopen the plant, despite reports that the company has serious food safety lapses.
Amid the ongoing shortage, Republicans have taken aim at Biden on Twitter.
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik tweeted: “Bare Shelves Biden needs to STOP passing the buck and address his baby formula shortage,” adding that “American families are once again suffering because of him.”
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn also noted that “American families deserve better” in a tweet she made lamenting “Record-high inflation, skyrocketing gas prices, and a baby formula shortage.”
In a statement, former President Donald Trump also highlighted the baby formula shortage, calling it “unthinkable” that in 2022 American families had to endure an infant formula shortage, emphasizing that it is a “mark of eternal shame on the Democrat Party.”
