MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Today, Milwaukee legislators admonished Wisconsin GOP Representatives Steil, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, and Gallagher for voting against emergency funding for baby formula distribution – failing Wisconsin parents amid a national shortage.
Speakers highlighted how, despite Republicans’ shocking opposition, Democrats like President Joe Biden, Governor Tony Evers, and Representative Gwen Moore are working to address the national baby formula shortage.
State Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee)
-
“In this case, it was a very clear dividing line where only the [Wisconsin] Democrats responded to say ‘let’s move forward the $28 million to address the empty shelves,’ and every [Wisconsin] Republican voted ‘No.’ Including Tom Tiffany who opined on Twitter about how people can’t get ahold of baby formula, when it came time to actually do something about it – not just politically posture – but to actually vote to fix the problem, he went along with the party. He put his party over the people, his party over Wisconsin, and voted ‘No.’”
State Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee)
-
“So despite exploiting grieving families at points of frustration and fear – they’re trying to point fingers and trying to place the blame in the midst of this shortage – these Republican representatives are actively blocking solutions. This is disappointing, but it’s most definitely not surprising, considering that Republicans in Congress have made a habit of voting against parents and families.”
State Rep. Robyn Vining (D – Wauwatosa)
-
“Despite Republican opposition, President Biden and Democrats have been working around the clock to address this shortage – passing legislation to provide emergency funding, invoking the Defense Production Act to increase manufacturing, and working with the U.S. military to airlift in formula to communities most in need. And as you heard, last week Gov. Evers took action to prevent corporations from price gouging formula prices by signing an executive order.”
State Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay)
- “As someone who was elected to public office and understands the oath I made to my constituents – and as a parent who knows how uncertain and stressful parenting is, even without the concerns of accessing baby formula – I cannot begin to fathom why Wisconsin Republicans in Congress would knowingly block a solution to this problem.”
