Media Contact:
Jordan Baker jbaker@frac.org202-640-1118
Statement attributable to Luis Guardia, President, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2024 — At a crucial juncture, Congress today released a final fiscal year (FY) 2024 Agriculture Appropriations package, securing $7.030 billion in critical funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a lifeline for nearly 7 million pregnant and postpartum women and young children, including approximately half of all infants born in the U.S. By rejecting a substantial number of harmful policy riders, which included efforts to restrict SNAP benefits — a proposal which received widespread, bipartisan criticism, Congress has also shown a commitment to the health, well-being, and dignity of millions of families.
The journey to secure funding was not without challenges. For months, FRAC has been sounding the alarm about the potential threat facing WIC participants if adequate funding was not secured. Recognizing the benefits of WIC, along with rising caseloads coupled with higher food prices all putting a squeeze on WIC, the Biden administration, alongside U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, called for an additional $1 billion in funding to fully support WIC in FY 2024.
The final package includes critical resources to address WIC’s budget shortfall, helping to avert a potential disruption of services and prevent long waiting lists that would have left more women, infants, and young children hungry and unable to access the essential WIC services they rely on.
FRAC commends the House and Senate leadership for passing a short-term continuing resolution on Friday that has kept government programs operating while appropriators hammered out the final details of the spending package. FRAC urges Congress to swiftly pass this desperately needed funding measure.
FRAC also extends its gratitude to the champions in the House and Senate for their tireless efforts to secure WIC funding, and applauds the Biden administration and Secretary Vilsack, in particular, for his unwavering dedication to supporting federal nutrition programs. As this funding is distributed, we look forward to working with WIC state agencies and advocates across the country to ensure that WIC’s benefits, services, and support reach families in need.
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The Food Research & Action Center improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To learn more, visit FRAC.org and follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
