Committee Democrats Strongly Urge House Leadership to Fully Fund WIC
“If Congress fails to include additional WIC funding, as many as two million young children, pregnant, and postpartum adults could lose access to WIC benefits entirely.”
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and every Committee Democrat urged House leadership to protect the nutritional health of millions of women and children by fully funding the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
The letter was co-signed by Rep. Grijalva (AZ-07), Rep. Courtney (CT-02), Rep. Sablan (At-Large-NMI), Rep. Wilson (FL-24), Rep. Takano (CA-39), Rep. Adams (NC-12), Rep. DeSaulnier (CA-10), Rep. Norcross (NJ-01), Rep. Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Wild (PA-07), Rep. McBath (GA-07), Rep. Hayes (CT-05), Rep. Omar (MN-05), Rep. Stevens (MI-11), Rep. Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Rep. Manning (NC-06), Rep. Mrvan (IN-01), and Rep. Bowman (NY-16).
“For more than 25 years, there has been a bipartisan commitment to provide sufficient WIC funding to serve all eligible participants. WIC currently serves over half of all infants born in the country and continues to be a lifesaving nutrition intervention program that minimizes avoidable health and developmental issues for low-income, nutritionally at-risk women, infants, and children,” the Members wrote. “If Congress fails to include additional WIC funding, as many as two million young children and pregnant and postpartum adults could lose access to WIC benefits entirely. Any funding shortfall would force eligible new parents and children (predominantly preschoolers, toddlers, and postpartum adults) onto waiting lists and deny them vital nutrition benefits and WIC services that are critical for healthy development.”
In the letter, the Members noted that children and parents of color—who already face increased risks of maternal and infant mortality—would be disproportionately denied WIC benefits if Congress fails to close the WIC funding gap. The letter also highlights calls from public health experts, faith-based leaders, and advocates—including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Save the Children, Children’s Defense Fund, and the National Council of Churches—for Congress to take action.
In January, Ranking Member Scott released a new Committee report—On the Brink: The Case for Permanently and Fully Funding the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC)—which details the devastating consequences for millions of women and children if Congress fails to provide the funding necessary to serve all families seeking WIC services. The report also highlights the potential long-term savings on health care costs made possible by WIC.
Read the full text of the letter here.
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