President Joe Biden took steps on Wednesday to deal with the nationwide shortage of powdered baby formula.
He used the Defense Production Act to require suppliers to direct resources to baby formula makers before other customers, the White House said in a fact sheet.
"Directing firms to prioritize and allocate the production of key infant formula inputs will help increase production and speed up in supply chains," the fact sheet said.
Biden also launched Operation Fly Formula to allow the departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to use Department of Defense commercial aircraft to import formula that meets U.S. safety standards. Bypassing regular air freight routes will get formula out faster, the White House said.
"I know parents all across the country are worried about finding enough infant formula to feed their babies — as a parent and as a grandparent, I know just how stressful that is," Biden said in a video on Twitter.
Previously, he had used the Defense Production Act to make and deliver equipment and supplies for COVID protection faster, including N95 masks, gowns, gloves, testing equipment, and other equipment.
Congress also took action to address the formula shortage.
The House of Representatives approved a bipartisan
