US House Approves $28 Million in Emergency Funding to Address Baby Formula Shortage

US suffers from baby formula shortage, knows why 3:02

(CNN) --

The House of Representatives passed a pair of bills Wednesday aimed at addressing a nationwide baby formula shortage, a problem that has sparked complaints across the country and pressure on lawmakers to act. .

The bills were introduced by House Democrats and their fate is uncertain in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated Wednesday that lawmakers will try to pass anything in the Senate through a unanimous consent request, which could be blocked by the objection of any particular senator.

• Homemade infant formula can be dangerous.

  Experts share how to feed your baby during the shortage

"We're hoping nobody blocks it, it's a very immediate need," Schumer said.

The formula shortage has the Biden administration and Congress facing pressure as American families demand answers and a solution.

One of the bills passed by the House Wednesday night, HR 7790, would provide $28 million in emergency funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in an effort to help alleviate the current deficit and avoid future shortages.

The bill was approved by 231 votes in favor and 192 against.

The emergency funds would be used to increase the number of FDA inspection staff, provide resources for staff working on formula problems, help the agency stop the fraudulent entry of infant formula into the U.S. market, and improve collection of data on the formula market, according to a statement from the House Appropriations Committee.

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Republicans blame Biden for baby formula shortage 1:46

"This bill is the first step in helping to restock shelves and end this shortage," House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat who introduced the legislation, said in a statement. .

"Parents and caregivers across the country can't wait – they need our support now. This bill takes important steps to safely restore supply. And with these funds, the FDA will be able to help prevent this problem from happening." again," he said.

The House also passed HR 7791 -- called the Baby Formula Access Act -- introduced by Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut.

The final account was 414 to 9.

• Baby formula supply problem worsens

The bill is intended to ensure families in need can continue to purchase baby formula with WIC benefits during a public health emergency or supply chain issues, such as a product recall.

WIC refers to the federal assistance program known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

The measure seeks to accomplish this by authorizing the Department of Agriculture to waive certain requirements related to the benefit program, according to a fact sheet from the House Committee on Education and Labor.

The FDA said Monday it will make it easier to import certain infant formulas as it works to address shortages across the country.

The US normally produces 98% of the infant formula it uses, with imported formula coming primarily from Mexico, Ireland and the Netherlands, the agency said in a statement.

But because of the shortage, the FDA is outlining a process by which it "would not object to the importation of certain infant formula products destined for a foreign market," as well as the distribution in the US of products that were made in the country. for export to other countries.

CNN's Ali Zaslav and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

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