Following Spanberger Push, White House Invokes Defense Production Act to Combat Baby Formula Shortage in Virginia & Across the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After being pressed by U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA), the White House tonight announced that it will invoke the Act in response to the nationwide baby formula shortage.

Last week, Spanberger directly pressed White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain to strongly consider implementing the DPA in response to the ongoing formula shortage. Following her push, the White House announced tonight that President Biden is invoking the DPA to make sure manufacturers have the necessary ingredients to boost production of safe, healthy infant formula here in the United States. According to the White House, the President is requiring suppliers to direct needed resources to infant formula manufacturers before any other customer who may have ordered that good.

“For several days, I have been pressing the White House to take this strong step, and I am glad the administration is listening to the concerns of Virginia parents during this crisis. We need to keep taking actions that will get more formula on the shelves — and until then, we cannot be satisfied with our progress,” said Spanberger. “In addition to invoking the DPA, I’m continuing to press the administration and industry leaders to cut more red tape, get any closed facilities up and running, and increase imports of safe baby formula from other countries. Virginia parents and babies do not have time for delays when it comes to addressing this shortage.”

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has been focused on responding to the concerns of Virginia parents and families during this formula shortage — and she has called for immediate action to combat the crisis from both the administration and private companies.

Last week, Spanberger urged the White House to consider a range of steps to address the shortage — including invoking the Defense Production Act, cutting red tape and increasing imports of safe baby formula from abroad. Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it would reduce restrictions on imports as part of the nationwide response to the shortage.

And last Friday, Spanberger pressed baby formula manufacturer Abbott Laboratories to provide answers about the company’s efforts to increase production of formula amid the ongoing nationwide formula shortage. Abbott is the leading supplier of formula in the United States.

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