Democratic Women’s Caucus, Mamas’ Caucus, Dads Caucus Sound Alarm on Secretary Kennedy Launching Baby Formula Review at a Gutted HHS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Women’s Caucus member Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Reproductive Health Care Task Force Co-Chair Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mamas’ Caucus Chair Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Dads Caucus Chair Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) led 25 Democratic Caucus members in sounding the alarm over the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) launch of Operation Stork Speed—an initiative the agency claims will evaluate the safety of nutrients and ingredients found in infant formula.
In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, the lawmakers raise concerns over the safety and feasibility of performing Operation Stork Speed while laying off tens of thousands of HHS employees — including 3,500 at the FDA, many of whom oversee infant formula and nutrition. They also demand the FDA halt this initiative until HHS employees are rehired and until there are proper guardrails to conduct a comprehensive, evidence-based review.
“The infant formula supply chain is fragile, and even a small disruption can have devastating consequences. No parent or guardian should struggle to feed their child due to failed safety standards, corporate greed or supply chain failures. Ensuring safe, affordable, and accessible formula is a matter of public health, economic justice, and basic dignity for families—especially women who are often primary caregivers,” wrote the lawmakers.
“From gutting staff responsible for scientific research to perpetuating anti-vaccine theories, you have repeatedly undermined scientific research. This, coupled with President Trump’s arbitrary mandate for federal agencies to repeal 10 regulations for every new rule, serves to further jeopardize the health and safety of families,” continued the lawmakers.
The Members also call on the agency to ensure infant formula is safe, accessible, and affordable for all women and babies who need it in the face of ongoing regulatory reversals and staff reduction.
“Ensuring safe, affordable, and accessible formula is a matter of public health, economic justice, and basic dignity for families—especially women who are often primary caregivers. We ask for your swift response to our questions regarding how you will ensure infant formula is safe, accessible and affordable for all women and babies who need it in the face of ongoing regulatory reversals and staff reduction,” concluded the lawmakers.
The full letter can be accessed here:
In addition to letter leads Brittany Pettersen, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, and Dads Caucus Chair Jimmy Gomez, the letter was signed by Teresa Leger Fernández, Deborah K. Ross, Nikema Williams, Jasmine Crockett, Andrea Salinas, LaMonica McIver, Pramila Jayapal, Nydia M. Velázquez, Julie Johnson, Kelly Morrison, Summer L. Lee, Dan Goldman, Eric Swalwell, April McClain Delaney, Betty McCollum, Delia C. Ramirez, Suzanne Bonamici, Laura Friedman, Veronica Escobar, Yvette D. Clarke, and Jan Schakowsky.