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Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022
This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take certain actions to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions (particularly the shortage of infant formula in the United States) affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
The bill directs USDA to require each infant formula cost containment contract to include remedies in the event of an infant formula recall, including how an infant formula manufacturer would protect against disruption to WIC participants in the state.
USDA must, within 30 days, ensure there is a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services that includes procedures for coordination and information sharing regarding any supply chain disruption, including a supplemental food recall.
The bill also authorizes USDA to waive or modify any WIC qualified administrative requirement during emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions. Specifically, USDA may waive or modify such a requirement for one or more state agencies if (1) the requirement cannot be met by state agencies during the emergency, disaster, or disruption; and (2) the modification or waiver is necessary to provide assistance to WIC participants and does not substantially weaken the nutritional quality of supplemental foods. For example, USDA may waive the maximum monthly allowance for infant formula.
The bill establishes notification requirements for USDA and state agencies related to supply chain disruptions.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
On May 18, 2022, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 7791, the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022, with a final vote of 414–9. Because the bill was considered under a "suspension of the rules," it required a two-thirds majority to pass, a threshold it easily cleared with broad support from both parties. The bill was designed to address the nationwide baby formula shortage by granting the Department of Agriculture (USDA) permanent authority to waive certain requirements for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Specifically, it allows WIC participants to purchase alternative brands or sizes of formula during public health emergencies or supply chain disruptions, ensuring that low-income families can use their benefits on whatever products are available on store shelves. The vote demonstrated significant bipartisan cooperation, with all 220 Democrats and 19
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
On May 18, 2022, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 7791, the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022, with a final vote of 414–9. Because the bill was considered under a "suspension of the rules," it required a two-thirds majority to pass, a threshold it easily cleared with broad support from both parties. The bill was designed to address the nationwide baby formula shortage by granting the Department of Agriculture (USDA) permanent authority to waive certain requirements for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Specifically, it allows WIC participants to purchase alternative brands or sizes of formula during public health emergencies or supply chain disruptions, ensuring that low-income families can use their benefits on whatever products are available on store shelves. The vote demonstrated significant bipartisan cooperation, with all 220 Democrats and 19