FDA Commissioner Robert Califf testified in front of the Energy and Commerce Committee this week to discuss the baby formula shortage. His testimony confirmed what Republicans already knew to be true: the FDA was slow to act, and their failures exacerbated the crisis we face today.

But what we didn’t expect to hear was this excuse:

That’s right, the reason that parents across the nation can’t feed their infant children today is because of… delays in the mailroom.

Back in October 2021, a whistleblower report was sent to the FDA outlining food safety problems at the Abbott Nutrition plant in Sturgis, Michigan. Had the FDA reviewed this whistleblower report in a timely manner, the current crisis we are experiencing could have been entirely avoided.

But because of “mailroom issues,” the October letter did not reach top agency officials until mid-February, when it was too late to keep the shelves stocked. 

Even if we set aside the absurdity of a crucial letter taking four months to reach the FDA, the notion that the safety of our formula supply chain hinged on one whistleblower is unconscionable. Despite Commissioner Califf acknowledging that the FDA dropped the ball – which was more of a concession than an admission of guilt – President Biden is choosing another path: denial.

The FDA has the tools to monitor supply chains. Several outlets began reporting on this very issue back in January. The whistleblower letter, albeit stuck in the mail, was already en route. But Biden says they had to be “mind readers” to predict the shortage.

They didn’t have to read minds, they just needed to read their own data. Maybe if Biden was more focused on the American people and less focused on his teleprompter, he would have seen this coming.

Sadly, this crisis is not going away any time soon. President Biden, finally, authorized the Defense Production Act to produce more baby formula. While it’s never too late to do the right thing, the series of delayed reactions beginning with the FDA and escalating to the White House means that it could be another 6 to 8 weeks before more baby formula hits the shelves.

Fortunately, there is something Congress can do to help. I’ve cosponsored the Babies Need Formula Now Act, which will immediately lift restrictions on the importation of baby formula to get more formula into our country quickly.

I’m calling on Speaker Pelosi to bring this bill to a vote. Parents can’t wait another two months to feed their children – we must end the food rationing now.

For more information on how to access baby formula in your area, visit this resource page from the Department of Health and Human Services. 

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are honoring Memorial Day and the groundbreaking of a convocation center at Georgia Southern University in honor of my political mentor, the late Jack Hill. 

Monday, May 23rd: What a great weekend! Saturday morning, I stopped by Chatham County Sheriff John Wilcher’s Shooting with the Sheriff Pistol Tournament held at the Al St Lawrence Range and Training Facility to support the five Georgia Sheriff Youth Homes throughout the state. With over 100 people participating and five different ranges to shoot on, the event was a huge success.

Next, I headed down to J F Gregory Park in Richmond Hill in Bryan County for the Veterans United Resource Festival that brought military and veteran related resources together. The event was organized by Team Savannah for Veterans and sponsored by American Veteran Properties and was a huge success!

Afterwards, I headed to Sapelo Hammock Golf Course at Shellman Bluff in McIntosh County where Sheriff Steve Jesup hosted a golf tournament that also supported the Georgia Sheriff Youth Homes. Sheriff Jesup had 29 teams participate and two separate players had hole in ones during the round.

This morning, I have a radio interview with Timothy Bryant with WGAU radio in Athens as we discuss inflation and tomorrow’s upcoming Georgia primary elections. Next, I have a radio interview with Martha Zoller on WDUN in Gainesville as we discuss inflation and the national political scene and, afterwards, join in on our all-staff conference call before heading to the weekly Savannah Downtown Rotary Club meeting at the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island.

Afterwards, I head to our Savannah district office where I have a virtual call with Good Pill Pharmacy, the first drug donation nonprofit repository program in Georgia. After a virtual interview with WTGS TV Fox 28 in Savannah where we discuss the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) recently passed by the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, I meet with a land developer in Camden County to discuss his future project.

Next, I have a virtual meeting with representatives from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) to discuss budget issues before having a live interview on the Chris Salcedo Show on Newsmax to discuss inflation and mandatory vaccine requirements for Air Force Academy graduates.

My final interview of the day is via phone with Politico as we discuss the medical dye shortage impacting our health care system here in the U.S.

Tuesday, May 24th: I’m at the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force in Pooler this morning where, along with about 300 volunteers, we set out 26,000 America flags with 48 stars (the number of states in the U.S. at that time) in the Memorial Garden to represent the 26,000 airmen of the Mighty Eighth Air Force who were killed during World War II.

Once at our Savannah District office, I have a virtual meeting with the National Rural Letter Carriers Association to discuss their issues of concern before joining in on an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee hearing on strengthening our communications network.

Afterwards, I have a live interview on Newsmax with John Bachman as we discuss today’s Georgia primary elections before having a recorded interview with A Starting Point to discuss my Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act that will require all prescribers to have a one-time, 8-hour training course on prescribing opioids.

Later, I record a message for the Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) on confronting the Diabetes Epidemic before heading to the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club in Savannah where I have a great meeting with new CEO Mark Lindsay and learn about their great plans for the future.

Afterwards, I head to Pooler where I join the Pooler Lions Club as they award four High School Seniors from the Pooler community with scholarships. These students have excelled academically and in their extracurricular activities and are deserving of this recognition.

Wednesday, May 25th: I’m headed to Waycross in Ware County this morning and, during the drive, I waive onto an E&C Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee hearing on infant formula safety and supply where we hear from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf.

Once in Waycross, I meet with Homeland Mayor LC Guinn and State Representative James Burchett to discuss issues impacting their communities. Afterwards, I head to Blackshear in Pearce County where I tour the recently renovated Train Depot that has turned out beautifully and will certainly be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

Next, I head over to Blackshear City Hall where I log into a briefing with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding their upcoming study on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).

After returning home to Pooler, I have a live interview on Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax where we discuss the infant formula hearing I participated in earlier today.

Thursday, May 26th: I’m back at the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force in Pooler this morning as I speak at the opening ceremony of the Memorial Day weekend and the last 2 flags of the 26,000 on display are placed by two WWII vets, one who is 100 years old and the other who is 99 years old. What an honor to be in their presence during this special ceremony!

Afterwards, I head to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro and, once I get there, join in on a Budget Committee hearing on the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) budget and economic outlook.

After joining in on our all staff conference call, I have the honor of participating in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center on campus. Jack Hill served in the Georgia State Senate for 30 years and I had the honor of sitting next to him for 5 of those years. Jack was one of my political mentors and, among other things, taught me the importance of constituent services. Jack’s love for his community, state, and family were unsurpassed.

After filming Buddy’s Briefing at the groundbreaking location, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I speak at the Richmond Hill Lions Club First Responder Recognition Dinner. Our first responders- police, fire, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and others - are our heroes and deserve this recognition. 

Friday, May 27th: After our weekly Band of Brothers bible study in Garden City this morning, I join my good friend, Scott Ryfun, who is filling in for Bill Edwards on NewsTalk 1290 in Savannah as we discuss the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, TX.

Afterwards, I head to Tybee Island where I join Mayor Shirley Sessions and others in a ceremony recognizing National Poppy Day. After a great program that included a talk explaining the origin of National Poppy Day, I head to Tybee City Hall where I have an interview with WTOC-TV in Savannah to discuss the WRDA that was passed by the T&I Committee last week and the impact it will have on Tybee Island’s beach renourishment.

Afterwards, I head to our Savannah District office where I record a video for the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association that will be used to kick off their community event in early June.