Congress approved a bill on Thursday aimed at easing the baby formula shortage for families participating in the state and city government assistance programs that account for about half of all formula.
The bill, which will allow participants to use vouchers for whatever brand of formula is available, was already passed by the House and now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.
“Now, millions of parents will have an easier time finding the baby formula that they need,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), said after the bill was passed.
Participants in WIC, which stands for Women, Infants and Children, usually get vouchers that are redeemed for specific foods to supplement their diets.
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The vouchers usually can only be used to purchase one brand of infant formula in a particular state.
The bill makes it possible in extenuating circumstances for the Department of Agriculture to waive certain requirements so that WIC participants can purchase whatever brand is available, a move that could allow more participants to get formula for their children.
The Biden administration said the Defense Department is working to book commercial aircraft to fly about 246 pallets of Nestlé formula from Switzerland.
The shipments amount to the equivalent of 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles of three different formulas that are hypoallergenic formulas for children with cow’s milk protein allergy.
The White House said these are a priority because they serve a critical medical purpose and are in short supply.