Kildee Introduces Bill to Lower Cost of Baby Formula

WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today introduced legislation, supported by Democrats and Republicans, to temporarily suspend tariffs on infant formula to lower prices for working families.

"As a parent, I understand the anxiety of parents struggling to find formula for their newborns. Because of a major company product recall and pandemic-related supply chain issues, our nation's supply of infant formula continues to be impacted. The federal government is taking unprecedented action to increase infant formula supplies, including my legislation to ensure infant formula is more affordable for working families in mid-Michigan," said Congressman Kildee.

American families are experiencing a formula shortage due to consolidation in the infant formula industry and the shutdown of the Abbott Formula plant in Michigan. Due to the infant formula shortage, the U.S. is relying on imports to meet our needs. However, depending on the country of origin, some formula may be subject to a 27% tariff. Kildee's Affordable and Accessible Infant Formula Act would suspend U.S. tariffs on imported formula through November 14, 2022, aligning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's actions to make it easier to import infant formula.

Congressman Kildee has been working to increase access to affordable infant formula, including passing the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act in May 2022 to provide $28 million in emergency funding to address the urgent formula shortage and to help prevent it from ever happening again. Kildee also helped pass the Access to Baby Formula Act, which grants the U.S. Department of Agriculture the ability to waive WIC program requirements so families can continue to purchase infant formula.