Congressional Republicans are targeting food assistance programs for women, infants, children, and low-income families ahead of Friday’s government funding deadline
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
MADISON, Wis. – With just days left to pass federal government funding packages without harmful cuts, proposals from Republicans in Congress are targeting food assistance programs that millions of Americans depend on.
“Republicans in Congress should be finding ways to support working families and help them get ahead. Instead, these proposals shortchange programs that millions of Americans depend on, making it tougher for too many of our neighbors to put food on the table,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “With another government funding deadline at the end of this week, it’s time for Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to speak out against these harmful proposals, and work with their colleagues to pass funding packages that reject harmful cuts and extreme policies.”
Last year every member of Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation voted for the extreme “Default on America Act,” which would’ve stripped food assistance from at least 24,000 women, infants, and children in Wisconsin, while implementing strict requirements that would restrict access to SNAP benefits.
Punchbowl News: “There’s a dispute over hundreds of millions of dollars in WIC funding — Women, Infants and Children — under the Agriculture Department. The department has warned of a possible $1 billion shortfall in the program unless more money is approved, which could put millions of program participants at risk. Conservatives want to keep this funding flat.”
CNN: “If Congress continues the current funding level for the rest of the fiscal year, about 2 million eligible pregnant women, new moms and young children could be turned away, according to the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.”
POLITICO: “Behind the scenes, GOP negotiators have been pushing for several contentious policy riders, per our colleague Caitlin Emma: (1) cuts to agriculture programs and limits on how USDA spends money, (2) a ban on mail delivery of abortion medication and (3) a pilot program proposed by Rep. ANDY HARRIS (R-Md.) that would restrict SNAP food aid purchases.”
###
