National WIC Association

August 31, 2023

National WIC Association Backs Biden's Urgent Call for Enhanced Funding as Government Shutdown Looms

National WIC Association: “Millions of families rely on WIC; we cannot let them down.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, in anticipation of Congress returning to DC to consider a continuing resolution, the Biden administration has urgently called for increased funding to safeguard essential federal programs - including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Highlighting the critical nature of these programs, the administration has specifically requested an additional $1.4 billion to ensure uninterrupted nutritional aid for low-income families.

The following statement is attributed to Kate Franken, Board Chair of the National WIC Association:

“The National WIC Association welcomes today’s request from the Biden Administration for an additional $1.4 billion in WIC funding. WIC is one of the strongest investments we can make as a country to ensure good health and wellbeing for pregnant and postpartum women and their young children. With participation in the program surging and food prices remaining high, it is essential that WIC receives enough funding to ensure that no one eligible for the program is turned away. We urge Congress to back away from threats of a catastrophic government shutdown and include these dollars in any funding package that advances prior to September 30. Millions of families rely on WIC; we cannot let them down.”