Cuts to Wic Are Especially Cruel

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, Republicans have said time and time again that they don't want to hurt pregnant mothers and young children, but they did just that with the FY 2024 agriculture spending bill that they advanced out of the House Appropriations Committee last week.

The Republican bill slashes WIC funding by $185 million from the current funding level and guts WIC's extra fruit and vegetable benefits for 5 million pregnant and postpartum moms and young children.

It is the first time ever that WIC has been intentionally underfunded. At a time when many families are still dealing with pandemic-caused inflation, these cuts are especially cruel. I am appalled that Republicans' idea of fiscal responsibility is taking healthy food away from pregnant moms and kids under 5. Seriously?

Mr. Speaker, let's not forget that Republicans also tried to cut Meals on Wheels and WIC in their original debt ceiling bill, and they have a bill to kick moms with young children and seniors off of SNAP.

Taking food away from the most vulnerable is completely heartless. It is shameful, and we are going to fight these cuts.

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