Biden’s Incoming Spox Laughs When Asked Who Is ‘Running Point’ at the WH on the Baby Formula Shortage
Incoming White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says shortages of baby formula are a priority for the Biden administration. But she struggled to point to an individual at the White House tasked with addressing…
Incoming White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says shortages of baby formula are a priority for the Biden administration.
But she struggled to point to an individual at the White House tasked with addressing the issue while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
During a press gaggle on board Air Force One, a reporter asked, “Who’s running point on the formula issue at the White House?”
“At the White House, I don’t know,” Jean-Pierre said before laughing.
She added, “But I can find out for you and get you a person who’s running point.”
Listen to the moment below:
Jean-Pierre said the administration has been “tracking” the issue and that it is a “top priority” for the administration.
As The Washington Post notes, there has been a low supply of baby formula for months.
However, it reported, “In recent weeks, the products have been especially hard to find, forcing some retailers to limit purchases as the Food and Drug Administration scrambles to respond to the crisis.”
The Post explains, “Ongoing supply chain disruptions tied to the coronavirus pandemic have fueled shortages of a wide range of consumer goods, but the lack of baby formula worsened in February after manufacturer Abbott issued a recall for products made at a Michigan plant and sold under the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare labels.”
“Four children — one in Minnesota, one in Texas, and two in Ohio — fell ill with bacterial infections, and two died,” it added.