A popular government program that helps low-income mothers, pregnant women and young children is now in danger and thousands of Texans could lose benefits as gridlock in Washington, D.C., continues.
Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, used to be a no-brainer in Congress and enjoyed wide bipartisan support for decades. That’s no longer the case.
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This is how the perennial spending-cut fights led by a faction of hard-right GOP members of Congress are playing out, and sadly it has become the new normal. In this case, the consequences would be felt by small children and newborns.
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About 227,000 low-income Texas women and young children are in danger of losing federal nutrition assistance this year if WIC does not receive this badly needed funding, The Texas Tribune reported.
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The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that the program has a $1 billion shortfall. The extra funding is needed to keep up with rising costs of food and more participation, particularly after the pandemic. But as inaction continues in Washington, the federally funded program that is managed by states will have to start to reject eligible participants.
This is unacceptable. We should not be endangering the health of children in the name of refusing to compromise on budgeting. Yes, there is a deficit concern that needs to be addressed, but proven programs should not be on the cutting board, and they are so fractional relative to the deficit problem that they amount to a rounding error.
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The stopgap funding laws that have become all too common have prevented the disruption of WIC, but states may have to start turning away people as early as March, the CBPP warns. While Senate and House leaders reached an agreement for total government spending last week, it is unclear if Congress will increase funding for WIC, according to The New York Times.
WIC provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support for young mothers. The program makes sure babies are eating healthful food and helps children in the early stages of development. For low-income families, this is an invaluable early push that helps their children later in their lives.
Studies on the program’s benefits have been associated with fewer premature births, fewer infant deaths and increased prenatal care.
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Funding this program is not a waste of money, but a real investment in America’s future.
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A message to Congress: Keeping our children healthy is a no-brainer.
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Washington is endangering a tested program that feeds poor children
