National WIC Association

Weekly WIC Policy Update

August 26, 2019

Congress is Likely to Prepare a Stopgap Bill to Avoid a Government Shutdown
With the current fiscal year rapidly closing in and a September 30 deadline to negotiate new fiscal year 2020 funding, Congress is expected to resort to a stopgap spending bill buying negotiating time and averting a federal government shutdown.

Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, advises that panel Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) will more than likely prepare a new continuing resolution to cover spending while the 12 appropriations bills for FY 2020 are still being finalized.

Congress made significant progress in advancing FY 2020 appropriations bills, with the passage of the bipartisan budget deal back in July. The deal, negotiated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Treasury Secretary Steven Munchin, increases FY 2021 federal funding by $324 billion over the next two years. This includes an additional $27 billion for non-defense discretionary programs in FY 2020. Unlike the Senate, the House has already passed it’s 2020 appropriations bills using placeholder total numbers.

NWA will continue to update members as the funding process continues to unfold.

The August Recess is an Opportune Time to Connect with your Members of Congress
Both the House and the Senate are on recess for the entire month of August, making this a perfect time to connect with your members of Congress. As they meet with key constituents in their communities, it is also the case that they will be interested in key WIC priorities, including the 2020 appropriations funding levels and pending proposals for Child Nutrition Reauthorization. NWA has already prepared materials addressing these issues to make available to your members of Congress when meeting with them or their staff.

During this recess, NWA encourages you to connect with your member of Congress and set up clinic visits. Setting up these visits is a great time for your legislator or staffer to see the excellent work you’re doing every day, as well as increase their knowledge of this vital public health nutrition program. If you are unsure how to set up a WIC clinic visit, please refer to NWA’s advocacy toolkit section on contacting your elected official, or reach out to Kirsten Kelley, State Public Policy Associate, at kkelley@nwica.org.