Bulk Infant Formula to Retail Shelves Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Bulk Infant Formula to Retail Shelves Act. I appreciate my colleague, Suzan DelBene, for working together to help lead this bipartisan effort to further address our Nation's ongoing infant formula shortage.
It is very disappointing that the administration knew of this looming shortage for months, actually, before they developed a strategy. So here we are, 9 months into the crisis, and as yet, as of August, 30 percent of our Nation's baby formula was out of stock nationally for 6 weeks in a row. This is simply unacceptable.
I am glad that we can work together to correct this. We must use every tool available to increase domestic manufacturing, including responsibly importing FDA-approved base powder used to manufacture formula when needed.
The Bulk Infant Formula to Retail Shelves Act builds on the bipartisan work done in the Formula Act and supports domestic manufacturing by allowing formula base powder to be imported duty-free through the end of the year.
I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to use trade tools to strengthen critical supply chains like infant formula.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity that we can work together to remove barriers to getting nutrition to especially young children. As a father of pretty young kids, I can appreciate the fact that it is pretty scary for families not being able to find formula when they previously could.
I think that when we talk about supply chains, as was discussed as well, we have got a lot of work to do ahead of us, and that we can hopefully bring about more affordable results for the American people.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source