White House Calls on Congress for WIC Support

With your Southeast Regional Ag News, I am Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.

A very serious topic here today as we spotlight the WIC program. The White House did hold a press conference earlier this week calling on Congress to fully fund the Women's, Infants, and Children's ProgramIt provides nutrition assistance for almost 6.7 million pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and young children across the country. And without full funding, the welfare of millions of vulnerable Americans, according to Neera Tanden, is at risk…

“WIC means healthier babies who are more likely to survive infancy. Down the line, those babies are more likely to receive medical care, and as toddlers and school children, children who are on WIC perform better on tests of mental development and reading.”

USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small is asking Congress for full funding in January…

“With every continuing resolution, moms have less certainty about whether Congress is going to fully cover WIC for themselves and their babies this year. That's why it's crucial that Congress provide additional funding for WIC in January. The longer Congress puts off this funding, there's a greater risk to mothers, to babies, and children who just want the healthy food they need to succeed.”

They say that without enough funding, states would have to reduce participation by about two million children and pregnant and postpartum adults nationwide by September 2024.