FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Natalie Moran
Email: nmoran@nwica.org
This evening, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris released a comprehensive COVID-19 relief proposal. In the proposal, Biden and Harris call for a $3 billion investment in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to expand access to nutritious foods for new and expectant parents, infants, and young children during the pandemic.
Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association, issued the following statement in response:
“For nearly a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has destabilized the nation’s economy and left too many families – including families with young children – unable to put enough food on their tables. Having shepherded the federal response to the Great Recession alongside President Obama, President-elect Biden understands the gravity of this crisis. This evening, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris laid out a visionary plan to equip the federal government with the tools it needs to deliver meaningful relief for struggling families.
“Biden and Harris recognize that proven and effective federal supports like WIC can make all the difference during a crisis. Instead of dismantling the administrative state, Biden and Harris know a wiser path is to strengthen and invest in federal programs. The plan’s targeted $3 billion investment in WIC could enhance the value of WIC benefits, modernize how services are delivered, and help WIC reach the millions of families who are eligible but not yet accessing WIC services.
“As the plan lays out comprehensive measures to control the virus, Biden and Harris are not losing sight of how to build back a better safety net, which in turn will build a more secure and more prosperous nation. Congress should immediately pick up this proposed relief framework and swiftly advance legislation that delivers for the American people.”
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