Fighting For The Children

Addressing the Baby Formula Shortage

It is unconscionable and tragic that, right now, families cannot find safe, affordable baby formula to keep their children healthy and growing. The shortage has taken an especially dangerous toll on women and children from underserved communities: about half of infant formula sold nationwide is purchased with Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefits. While it is essential that we ensure that this issue never happens again, right now the babies are crying and the babies are hungry – so we must take urgent action to protect their health and well-being.

That is why, on Wednesday, House Democrats passed two bills to ease the unconscionable infant formula shortage.

The House passed H.R. 7791, the Access to Baby Formula Act, which will help improve access to infant formula for vulnerable families. This legislation empowers the Department of Agriculture to waive certain restrictions during a supply shortage so that vulnerable families can continue using their WIC benefits to purchase safe, available infant formula products. The bill will also ensure that WIC participants are better protected during a product recall. After also being passed in the Senate, this legislation is soon set to become law.

The House also passed H.R. 7790, The Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act. This supplemental appropriations bill provides $28 million in emergency funding to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), providing the resources it needs to address the current urgent infant formula shortage and help prevent it from ever happening again. The bill also provides funding for the FDA to prevent fraudulent products from entering the United States market.

Paired with President Biden's invocation of the Defense Production Act – a move directing ingredient suppliers to prioritize delivery to formula manufacturers – these two bills are the latest actions in Democrats' fight For The Children. Ensuring that every precious baby has the nutrition they need is a matter of life and development. With this legislation, Democrats are maintaining our laser focus on protecting the health and well-being of our babies.

Cracking Down on Big Oil's Price Gouging

Yesterday, the House passed H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act – a bill to bring down gas prices for families by cracking down on price gouging by Big Oil companies. It is outrageous that Big Oil is taking advantage of Putin's senseless aggression to hike gas prices. By deliberately keeping production low, oil executives are making record profits on the backs of hardworking families. That is why House Democrats proudly voted to crack down on this shameful exploitation, so we can hold these corporations accountable and slash costs at the pump.

The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act will grant the President the power to issue an emergency energy proclamation outlawing artificially high energy prices. It will also strengthen the Federal Trade Commission's authority to prevent market manipulation, penalize bad actors and improve transparency. The bill also contains important protections for independently-owned gas stations so they are not left holding the bag for Big Oil.

At this time, there is no excuse for Big Oil companies to profiteer, price gouge and exploit families. As we hold oil and gas companies to account, Democrats remain committed to further lowering costs, increasing paychecks and creating good jobs for working Americans.

Free COVID Tests & New Vaccine Authorization

To help keep our communities safe from the virus, the Biden Administration is sending a third round of at-home, rapid COVID-⁠19 tests to Americans for free. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 8 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests, and tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, authorizing the use of a booster dose for children 5 through 11 years of age. If it has been five months since the completion of your child's primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, you can schedule your COVID-19 booster shot now!

American Rescue Plan & the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Keeping Ahead of COVID in San Francisco

Showcasing San Francisco's Youth

Congresswoman Pelosi is accepting applications for the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy.