During her final press conference, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was forced to field some pretty difficult questions about the baby formula shortage; analysts say formula supply is 43% below normal. Psaki says it’s a regional problem.
“Sometimes the issue at play here is that bigger retailers have a more streamlined process for stocking the shelves than smaller retailers,” Psaki explained. “A lot of people go to stores in their community to go buy baby formula and it may just be that there is a bit of a delay in stocking those shelves.”
From Fox News…
The press secretary went on to bullet point steps the federal government is taking to alleviate the shortages in the short term. The White House is offering rebates for states to address their stock regionally, and WIC recipients will be receiving greater freedom choosing formula for their children.
“So we’re working to not just address – we’ve been working to address for months – but we’re working to ensure there is greater supply, consistent supply on the shelves for as long as possible,” Psaki said.
GOP leadership is condemning the administration’s inaction on the crisis, blasting them for sending pallets worth of baby food to the southern border to feed migrant children who came to the country illegally.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has been particularly vocal about Biden’s failings:
“Joe Biden continues to put America LAST by shipping pallets of baby formula to the southern border as American families face empty shelves. This is unacceptable,” Stefanik tweeted. “American mothers and their babies shouldn’t suffer because of the #BidenBorderCrisis.”
Joe Biden continues to put America LAST by shipping pallets of baby formula to the southern border as American families face empty shelves.
This is unacceptable.
American mothers and their babies shouldn’t suffer because of the #BidenBorderCrisis.https://t.co/zgWHz84lkZ
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) May 13, 2022
In a later tweet, Stefanik predicted huge losses for Democrats come November.
“The Republican Party is the party of parents, babies, grandparents, families, and patriotic Americans,” Stefanik tweeted. “Today’s Democrat Party is the party of Socialists, illegals, criminals, Communist Truth Ministers, & media stenographers. This is why there will be a #RedTsunami in November.”
The Republican Party is the party of parents, babies, grandparents, families, and patriotic Americans.
Today’s Democrat Party is the party of Socialists, illegals, criminals, Communist Truth Ministers, & media stenographers.
This is why there will be a #RedTsunami in November.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 13, 2022
Members of the left went after Stefanik for her comments. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) said “If you are in Congress and propose starving babies to death you deserve to have your name trend. #EliseStarvefanik”
Swalwell was immediately blasted by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO).
“What are the odds Eric has some Chinese babies he wants pallets of formula sent to? I agree with @EliseStefanik, we should put American citizens, and our children, first.”
What are the odds Eric has some Chinese babies he wants pallets of formula sent to?
I agree with @EliseStefanik, we should put American citizens, and our children, first. https://t.co/8KnHxluCLF
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) May 13, 2022
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) says it’s time for “Operation Warp Speed for baby formula.”
It’s time for an Operation Warp Speed for baby formula.
Do it now, @POTUS!
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) May 13, 2022
On Thursday, the White House said it had taken steps to counter the shortage, “including working with other infant formula manufacturers to increase production, expediting the import of infant formula from abroad, and calling on both online and in-store retailers to establish purchasing limits to prevent the possibility of hoarding.”
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