FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2022

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Late Wednesday night five of the six Missouri Republican representatives voted against the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would provide emergency funding to address the shortage of infant formula in the United States. Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Jason Smith, Billy Long and Sam Graves voted against the bill. Both Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Congresswoman Cori Bush voted for the bill.

This “no” vote is the latest in a long pattern of Republicans actively working against solutions. Earlier this year, 193 House Republicans, including all Missouri Republicans, voted against capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month, while both Missouri Democrats supported the bill. Additionally, every congressional Republican voted against the American Rescue Plan, which has saved Missourians money on everything from their health care premiums to rent or mortgage to child care costs.

Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Randy Dunn released the following statement regarding the deeply disappointing “no” votes on the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act:

“As Democrats, we are moving quickly to pass legislation that would help families and address the shortage of baby formula, but once again, the majority of Missouri Republicans are all talk and no action when it comes to making sure we have the resources necessary to deal with this shortage, let alone anything else. Republicans aren’t interested in preventing this from happening again – they’re more interested in using Missouri families’ struggles for their own political gain and pushing their radical, ultra-MAGA agenda. One person standing up and doing the right thing isn’t enough. While they are pointing fingers and voting against solutions, Democrats are laser-focused on providing the resources to help our state address the infant formula shortage and working to lower costs on everything from gas to groceries. We are steadfast in our support of all American working families,” said Dunn.