In response to House and Senate appropriators’ announcement that they will fully fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, better known as WIC, First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley made the following statement:
“We are pleased that Congress has come to its senses and will fully fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) so that no pregnant woman, toddler, or infant will be turned away from the program. WIC provides access to crucial nutrition during a child’s earliest and most important developmental years, and fully supporting WIC means that America’s babies will have the food they need to grow and thrive.
Make no mistake – the fact that lawmakers even considered cutting WIC underscores the deeply backward priorities of Congress. For months lawmakers fought to turn 2 million mothers and babies away from the program and to slash fruit and vegetable benefits to levels that would provide just one apple per week for growing toddlers and babies. In the midst of a maternal and infant mortality crisis, Congress must invest in our children to ensure that they have what they need to grow into healthy, happy adults who can and do lead productive lives. We look forward to working with Congress to get this appropriations package over the finish line.”