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Rain showers this morning with some sunshine during the afternoon hours. High near 70F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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United States Representative Glenn (GT) Thompson visited the Keystone Rural Health Consortia offices on Tuesday in Ridgway

United States Representative Glenn (GT) Thompson visited the Keystone Rural Health Consortia offices on Tuesday in Ridgway

RIDGWAY-United States Representative Glenn (GT) Thompson, Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee, spoke about some of the significant issues Americans face concerning food insecurity and the drug epidemic during his visit to Ridgway on Tuesday.

"The baby formula supply crisis is a matter of life and death," said GT Thompson in Ridgway on Tuesday. "Parents must be able to find the formula their baby needs, and they shouldn't have to drive hours paying record-high gas prices only to find more empty shelves," said Thompson. "For parents, the most important action we can take is to address the immediate supply crisis. We need the formula restocked as soon as possible. That's why the Babies Need Formula Now Act will make sure the FDA is using every flexibility for parents to access safe formulas, including from abroad. It also holds President Biden and his administration accountable if red tape at the FDA prevents new formulas from reaching the shelves, which is why I am so proud to be co-sponsoring this Act." said Thompson.

In addition to addressing the immediate crisis parents and babies face, this legislation requires more oversight and accountability at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the Biden administration is doing its job and acting quickly to maintain a healthy and safe supply of formula while not wasting resources. The Act further provides parents have more choices in the future and reduces barriers to innovation for new brands and types of formulas to enter the marketplace. When there is a recall for labeling unrelated to the quality of the product, the FDA needs to consider the impact on the supply of formula before recommending or requiring a recall. The Babies Need More Formula Now Act requires the FDA to notify Congress of recalls and provide a plan to address any supply issues that may result. It requires coordination between the FDA and the manufacturer of the recalled formula to resolve any problems as soon as possible.

"This is both a timely solution and will ensure that the current crisis is not repeated in the future," said Thompson in closing.

From his position as the Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee, Thompson also addressed the soaring costs of fertilizer facing farmers in Pennsylvania and across the County.

" Fertilizer is a primary input and major expense for producers across the country, and price increases will have a significant effect on farm profitability and the prices of food and consumer products," said Thompson, "and I have serious concerns regarding record-high fertilizer prices impacting American farmers going into the spring planting season."

Since January 2021, according to the most recent data from the United States Department of Agricultural Marketing Services, the prices of key fertilizers and other farm inputs have substantially increased as follows: anhydrous ammonia (by 203%); Urea (by 141%); liquid nitrogen (162%); monoammonium phosphate (MAP) (by 74%); potash (by 125%); and farm diesel (by 95%)

"This is directly hurting our farming families not just in Pennsylvania, but across the United States." said Thompson, "and while the US is unlikely to see massive food shortages, which will affect the Middle East and Africa, consumers will feel the effects of this in their grocery bills." "Ongoing supply-chain bottlenecks and the rising cost of energy are among the factors sending fertilizer prices soaring, and disruptions stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine will only compound the problem. As a result, Americans will pay more at restaurants, grocery stores, and other places," said Thompson.

"This is why my fellow Representatives and myself are requesting the Biden Administration to "review all available options" to lower the cost of fertilizer, including but not limited to "eliminating the cross-border vaccine mandate for transporters of essential commerce; engaging stakeholders to prevent a Canadian Pacific Railway strike; ensuring agricultural minerals like phosphate and potash are part of the Department of the Interior's list of Critical Minerals; increasing US gas production; expanding oil and gas leases on federal lands, and approving pending export permits at the Department of Energy for Liquefied Natural Gas."

Finally, Thompson spoke on the ongoing Fentanyl crisis affecting the nation.

"This is why Republicans are urging President Joe Biden to immediately stem the influx of fentanyl coming into the United States from its southern border and from China," said Thompson. "Fentanyl kills more people age 18-45 than car accidents, suicide or COVID-19." "We cannot stand by and watch as Americans are being killed by the flood of fentanyl-related substances coming into our country." Thompson concluded by saying, "I am proud to join my colleagues in urging the Biden administration to make permanent the Schedule I classification of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances to protect our communities from the scourge of fentanyl coming from China and across our southern border.

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