WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the White House announced that it will temporarily sustain the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) using revenue from tariffs. While any effort to keep WIC operational during the government shutdown is welcome, critical details remain unknown: how much funding will be provided, when it will be distributed, and how long it will last.
The National WIC Association (NWA) stresses that this is not a permanent solution. A prolonged shutdown—especially at the start of a fiscal year during a time of program growth— puts the health and nutrition of millions of pregnant women, new mothers, and young children in jeopardy. Access to infant formula, breastfeeding support, and vital nutrition services must not hang in the balance.
The following is a statement from Georgia Machell, President and CEO of the National WIC Association:
“We welcome efforts to keep WIC afloat during the shutdown, but families need long-term stability, not short-term uncertainty. We still don’t know how much funding this measure provides, how quickly states will receive it, or how long it will sustain operations.
There is no substitute for Congress doing its job. WIC needs full-year funding, not just temporary lifelines. It’s imperative that leaders in Washington come together and act immediately to ensure that millions of families can continue to access the critical nutrition, care, and support they count on every day.”
Click here to take action on WIC funding during the shutdown.