President Biden’s use of the Defense Production Act to promote the renewable energy industry, increase vaccine production and resolve a national baby-formula shortage has angered critics who say he’s overstepped his authority and is increasingly relying on a power that should be reserved for emergencies.
Republicans and other critics of the president say Mr. Biden has used the act for his own political salvation, amid record-high energy prices and other crises such as the formula shortage, which they believe are caused in part by Mr. Biden’s policies.
“He’s using it excessively, he’s using it in a fashion that’s not going to help, and he’s using it to fix crises that he created,” Rep.