Underwood Condemns Republican Plan to Cut Food Security Programs for Women, Infants, and Children

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, in a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) emphasized the devastating impact House Republicans’ proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will have on the health and nutrition of women, infants, and children.  

“As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I have a unique understanding of how vital WIC is in addressing the Black maternal health crisis,” said Underwood. “This nutrition program is proven to save lives and improve maternal and child health outcomes. More than a million women, infants, and children could go hungry without this program, and the mere suggestion that we cut its funding is depraved and immoral. We must protect and increase funding for WIC.”

At the hearing, Underwood highlighted how Democrats’ budget invests in WIC so that it can better serve moms and kids. Participation in WIC is rising, and these critical investments must meet demand for the program so we can improve the benefits offered to families – including healthier food options, nutrition education, breastfeeding counseling, and referrals to important health and social services.  

Full video of Underwood’s remarks can be found here. 

House Republicans have yet to release their budget, but have touted their plans to cap discretionary spending for FY 2024 at FY 2022 levels. In response, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) wrote to agency heads to ask them to describe the impact such a move will have on working families. USDA’s reply detailed cuts to the WIC program that would strip vital nutrition assistance away from anywhere between 250,000 and 1.2 million women, infants, and children — starting with postpartum moms. 

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