05/19/2022

Biden Invokes Defense Powers in a Bid to Ease Formula Shortage

The president invoked the Defense Production Act to boost aid

President Biden took urgent action on Wednesday to address the nationwide baby formula shortage, invoking the Defense Production Act to increase production and launching “Operation Fly Formula” to deploy Defense Department planes and speed formula shipments into the United States from overseas.

The moves are Mr. Biden’s first major initiative to respond to a crisis that has sown fear and frustration among parents across the country and prompted Republicans and Democrats alike to demand action.

His decision came as the formula shortage was threatening to become a political as well as a public health disaster for the administration, and on the eve of the first congressional hearing, with Dr. Robert M. Califf, the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to delve into how it happened and what is being done to respond.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The New York Times.