Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE

CHILD NUTRITION AND WIC REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2004

WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN PROGRAM

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I wish to address a provision that Senator COCHRAN has added to the Child Nutrition and WIC reauthorization bill on my behalf.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, this provision is being added as a part of the floor consideration of this legislation. Therefore, there is no accompanying report language which explains its effect. We appreciate the contribution the Senator from Alaska has made to the Senate's consideration of this legislation. Will the Senator please share her views on this provision?

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, the provision in question requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a periodic scientific review of the supplemental foods available in the Women, Infants, and Children Program, which is also known as the WIC Program. The Secretary shall undertake such a review as frequently as necessary to reflect the most recent scientific knowledge. Following such a review, the Secretary shall amend the list of supplemental foods in order to reflect nutrition, science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I would like Senator MURKOWSKI to explain her rationale for offering this provision.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. In October 2000, the American Heart Association, AHA, published updated guidelines for reducing the risk of heart disease. These guidelines noted that fatty fish, such as salmon, are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Such acids help in the prevention of heart disease in a variety of ways. The acids diminish the likelihood of sudden death, as well as abnormal heart rhythms that play a role in sudden death. The oils of fatty fish also decrease blood triglycerides, as well as blood clotting.

The Food and Drug Administration has also previously suggested that there are health benefits to regularly consuming up to 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day. To illustrate a practical example, a piece of salmon that is a little over 3 ounces in weight includes about 1 gram of such fatty acids. Therefore, it would be very easy to comply with this suggestion. I understand that later this year, the Food and Drug Administration is likely to make an official determination that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The provision in the WIC reauthorization bill will require the Secretary to conduct a periodic review of the list of supplemental foods and take into account the most recent scientific knowledge, such as the expected FDA determination regarding omega-3 fatty acids, when recommending any additions to the list of supplemental foods. Should salmon be included in the list of supplemental foods, it would then allow all States to include salmon as an acceptable food for their respective WIC recipients.

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I appreciate the Senator's explanation.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I thank Senator COCHRAN for including this provision in this important bill.