[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 81 (Thursday, May 12, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Inflation

  Madam President, now on one final matter, parents across the country 
are struggling to get their hands on the infant formula their babies 
need. Here are just a few of the letters I have received from parents 
and grandparents in my State:

       We have been struggling to get formula for our 
     granddaughter for months now. The situation has turned dire.
       My 6-month-old Ezekiel has had to switch what he needs 
     twice since his birth due to the shortages.

  Another:

       We traveled from Lexington, Kentucky through West Virginia 
     and Virginia into Washington D.C. [but] every place we 
     stopped . . . had empty shelves of baby formula.

  This outrageous, unacceptable situation has been unfolding in slow 
motion over several months. Much of it stems from a recall that 
resulted in a plant being shut down. But it seems that while President 
Biden's administration and the FDA knew all about this problem as it 
developed, they have been asleep at the switch in terms of getting 
production back online as fast as possible.
  Both Republican and Democratic Senators have asked the White House 
and FDA for answers and gotten very few. The administration has got to 
be more proactive and forward-leaning. But yesterday, I understand that 
a White House spokeswoman wasn't even sure if they had a point person 
for this problem or, if they had such a person, who it might be.
  Even before the acute shortages, soaring costs were also squeezing 
families. The inflation figures show the price of baby food has 
skyrocketed 13 percent in just 12 months. Overall food inflation is 9.4 
percent year-over-year. That is the worst year for food inflation in 41 
years.
  It should not be this hard for Americans to feed their families. 
Parents need President Biden and his team to step up to the plate.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.