Formula Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to lower prices for families I represent in mid-Michigan, and I thank Chairman Blumenauer for his leadership on this very important issue.

Production of infant formula in this country isn't working properly. It is not getting to the shelves, and it is denying families what they need at the most important time in the development of the life of a child. After product recalls, corporate consolidations, and obviously pandemic-related supply chain issues, this is a real struggle for American families.

As parents raising three kids, my wife and I empathize with those anxious parents out there who are struggling to find formula for their newborn children. That is why Congress has to act to increase imports of formula until domestic production can get back to the point where we can supply our domestic needs with our own production capacity.

However, as has been said, some formula imports are still subject to really high tariffs, up to 27 percent, and there is no reason at this moment that American families who are struggling should have to pay that additional cost. They shouldn't have to pay more for something that is absolutely necessary for their children.

That is why we introduced this legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to suspend these formula import tariffs for the rest of the year and to lower costs for families with children. I really do urge my colleagues, all of us, to join. This is something we ought to be able to do together to immediately reduce prices for families who have needs, for families with small children, to make sure that until we can get our domestic production back online, we can supply what we need at a cost that is affordable to those families that are simply trying to take care of their kids. That is our obligation. That is why we swore the oath to come here and do this work. We have the tools in our hands to get this done.

I urge my colleagues to join us in this effort.

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