Senator Murray Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation to Address Formula Shortage

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the Senate's unanimous passage of the Access to Baby Formula Act, legislation to address the infant formula shortage and ensure that families with the tightest budgets can get the formula they need. The Access to Baby Formula Act will help ensure families can use WIC benefits to get the formula they need without restrictions during this crisis.

"Parents are already dealing with enough--this crisis should have never happened in the first place and I am determined to make sure manufacturers and everyone else is doing absolutely everything possible to keep babies fed," said Senator Murray. "As we work to get formula back on the shelves as soon as possible, families need flexibility to purchase the formula they can find in their area--this bill will make sure parents with the tightest budgets can get the formula they need."

"I have been pushing since February to address this formula crisis and simply put--this is an all-hands-on-deck emergency," continued Senator Murray. "Passing the Access to Baby Formula Act is a positive step forward, and I'm going to keep pushing to make sure our shelves are stocked as quickly as possible. As a mom and a grandma, this could not be more important to me, and looking ahead I am focused on making sure our families are never put in this situation ever again."

Senator Murray has been following this issue and pressing for answers from early on. In February, Senator Murray sent a letter with Senator Casey demanding answers from Abbott Nutrition as it recalled infant formula, and she continued to press the issue when inspection reports revealed troubling practices at Abbott's facility. Senator Murray has repeatedly pressed the FDA on its delayed response to concerns about food safety at Abbott's facility. Most recently, Senator Murray has led her colleagues in pushing infant formula manufacturers to step up and produce more formula to address the national shortage--and in calling on the White House to assign a coordinator to address the formula shortage and implement a national strategy.

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