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Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Formula Act (H.R. 8351), bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) to help alleviate the ongoing infant formula crisis by removing trade tariffs on safe formula from trusted foreign suppliers. The bill passed 421-2.

Washington was one of ten states where the out-of-stock rate for formula was higher than 90%, at the end of May with nationwide rates at 74%. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acted swiftly to allow for the import of safe formula from trusted partners around the world, tariffs on these products increase the cost of formula by 27% on average. The Formula Act would temporarily suspend these tariffs until the end of the year to lower prices for families that are struggling to feed their children.

“No parent should struggle to find or afford food for their babies. Removing tariffs on foreign formula will help provide families a real discount and get product on shelves,” said DelBene. “This is a straightforward solution that will help communities around the country deal with this ongoing crisis.”

DelBene spoke on the floor in support of this legislation. Original cosponsors of the bill include Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Chair Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Adrian Smith (NE-03), John Larson (CT-01), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Jason Smith (MO-08), Judy Chu (CA-27), Gregory Murphy (NC-03), David Kustoff (TN-08), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Carol Miller (WV-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), and Tom Rice (SC-07).

The Senate is expected to quickly take up the legislation.

A summary of the bill can be found here.