Press Releases

Washington, DC – U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) decried a cut of $650 million to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program included in the Agriculture appropriations bill, which passed the House today.

Speaking on the House Floor earlier this week, Congresswoman Moore highlighted that fact that one week of the Bush tax cuts could more than make up for this cut.  She said, “If you compare this to the Bush tax cuts, which gave the average millionaire a $139,199 tax break in 2011, or $2,700 a week, that comes up to a total of $866 million to the wealthiest people in one week -- one week...”

Citing previous legislation and cuts to programs that help low-income children, Moore continued that this bill, “doubles-down on not providing food to infants and children…  We’ve already cut the entitlement and snatched the safety net from up underneath kids.” 

Her floor speeches can be seen here and here.

The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities estimates that if food prices continue rising, up to 350,000 low-income women and children across the country will lose access to this program. 

WIC – a cost-effective program – provides nutritious food to pregnant women, mothers, and children under age 5 who are considered nutritionally at risk.  Economists estimate that every $1 spent through WIC saves between $1.77 and $3.13 in health care costs in only 60 days after an infant’s birth.

The bill also includes cuts to other hunger programs – including cuts to commodity foods and food banks.