The Biden administration is seeking $1.4 billion in emergency funding as rising demand — and high food costs — imperil a federal nutrition program.
The changes reflected recommendations from federal scientists and nutrition experts, and it helped slow a decade-long decline in WIC participation. Over the first seven months of 2023, the nutrition program saw a roughly 4.5 percent increase in enrollment compared with the same period last year, according to an official at the Agriculture Department, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the agency’s data.
But the spike in food costs nationally — and the new burst in enrollment — also depleted WIC funds more rapidly than anticipated. The program on average paid out in food benefits by this May, according to USDA, with total benefits this fiscal year exceeding $4.4 billion over the first eight months of the 2023 fiscal year.The price tag soon added fuel to the ongoing war in Washington over federal spending, even though lawmakers historically have supported WIC on a bipartisan basis.
If the Biden administration does not secure new funds, it could mark the second major blow for cash-strapped families this year, after Republicans led an effort to roll back an expansion to food stamps, a federal aid program that helps lower-income Americans purchase groceries. The disruption to WIC could leave “women and children to go hungry” while “pushing vulnerable families into poverty,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday.
On Capitol Hill, some Democrats said this week they would fight vigorously to prevent such benefit cuts.“As we get new information about what the needs are, you can bet that I will fight tooth and nail to ensure we are not shortchanging WIC,” Sen. Patty Murray , the chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden in Florida promises to rebuild, calls on Congress to provide more FEMA fundingPresident Joe Biden standing in front of a home damaged by a fallen tree said it was “but for the grace of God” the damage wasn’t worse.
Read more »
In hurricane-torn Florida, Biden urges Congress to shore up emergency fundingThe White House has requested $16 billion to shore up the federal government’s disaster fund.
Read more »
Impeachment inquiry into Biden is 'poor decision,' GOP strategist warns'These impeachments...dating back to Clinton do not help the party that is doing the impeaching,' Terry Sullivan said.
Read more »
Yorgos Lanthimos & Emma Stone’s ‘Poor Things’ Receives Biggest Standing Ovation at Venice Film FestivalPoor Things from filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos appears to be the big, early favorite at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. The project is a whimsical, adult-themed gothic fable that stars E…
Read more »
Marjorie Taylor Greene issues ultimatum to CongressOne of Greene's conditions to vote for a short-term measure that will avoid a partial government shutdown next month is an impeachment inquiry on Biden.
Read more »