Republicans slam Biden for feeding migrant babies scarce baby formula

There is a shortage of baby formula in the U.S. The spotty availability and rationing at stores is generally attributed to lingering supply chain issues and by a huge recall of several formula brands by Abbott Nutrition, after the Food and Drug Administration tied two infant deaths to potentially contaminated formula produced at its Sturgis, Michigan, plant.
Washington is scrambling to do something about the shortage. President Biden on Thursday spoke with formula manufacturers and large national retailers to get an update on the formula situation, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. "We're going to do everything we can to cut red tape and take steps to increase supply." The White House also said it is cracking down on price gouging and working on importing formula from Ireland, the Netherlands, Chile, and Mexico.
Democrats in Congress demanded answers about the FDA's response and whether Abbott tried to hide safety problems at its Sturgis plant. A handful of House Republicans demanded Tuesday that the U.S. redirect money earmarked for Ukraine toward fixing the baby formula shortage.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) made waves Thursday, tweeting that the U.S. government is "sending pallets, pallets of baby formula to the border" while grocery stores are bare, posting a photo of a half-stocked grocery store shelf next to a picture she says a concerned Texas border agent sent her of a shelf of baby formula in between two shelves of apple sauce pouches.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) piled on: "While mothers and fathers stare at empty grocery store shelves in a panic, the Biden administration is happy to provide baby formula to illegal immigrants coming across our southern border."
Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler rolled his eyes at this "ridiculous faux outrage," explaining that Biden is obligated by law — the Flores consent decree governing child migrants and the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, mostly — to feed child migrants in U.S. custody.
Former President Donald Trump "was no fan of Flores. He tried to get rid of it but was blocked by the courts. So he followed the law, too," Kessler said. "The shortage of baby formula is a serious issue," but "anyone who suggests this is the result of specific Biden policies, i.e., his 'reckless, out-of-touch priorities,' earns Four Pinocchios."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodus
Speed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official says
Speed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judges
Speed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policing
Speed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Speed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda
-
Trump arms National Guard in DC, threatens other cities
speed read His next targets are Chicago, New York and Baltimore