The U.S. government shutdown is threatening food aid for millions of mothers and children as WIC funding nears exhaustion.
The U.S. federal government shutdown has put vital food assistance for about 6.7 million low-income Americans at risk, with no immediate resolution in sight as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides food and counseling for mothers and children under five, faces funding shortages just days into the shutdown. “A prolonged federal shutdown that lasts longer than one week is going to start to put babies and young children at risk,” said Georgia Machell, head of the National WIC Association.
The $7.6 billion program, unlike Social Security or Medicare, requires yearly congressional approval. Governors have pledged to stretch resources, with Montana saying it can fund WIC for “at least the next month” and Connecticut promising short-term support.
Senator John Fetterman said his vote for a temporary funding bill was to prevent disruption to families reliant on WIC. Meanwhile, the Trump administration blamed Democrats for the shutdown, while Democrats noted the administration had earlier proposed $300 million in WIC cuts.
The USDA has warned states that funds could run out by mid-October. Experts say how long benefits last will depend on state reserves. “We are in uncharted territory,” said Katie Bergh of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.