In an impressive display of priorities, House Republicans recently proposed slashing funding to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)—because apparently, nothing says “fiscal responsibility” like taking veggies away from toddlers.
WIC, for those unfamiliar, is a federally funded program that provides nutritional support, breastfeeding services, and access to health care referrals for low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under age five. In other words, it’s the safety net helping to ensure babies and moms are provided the nutrients needed to thrive.
But under the House’s latest proposed budget, funding for WIC would be chopped by $800 million from President Biden’s request, falling to $6 billion. This move is expected to have cascading impacts, from cutting fresh produce from kids’ diets to kicking families off the program entirely. All in a day’s work when you’re balancing the budget on the backs of infants.
Under this proposal, the monthly fruit and veggie benefit for kids would plummet from $25 to a meager $11. Pregnant and postpartum moms? Down from $44 to $13. Breastfeeding moms get to enjoy a 70% cut—from $49 to $15. That’s barely enough to buy an avocado and a sigh of disappointment.
Keep in mind that WIC benefits aren’t just charity—they’re smart public policy. WIC is credited with improving birth outcomes, lowering infant mortality, and helping kids grow up healthier and ready to learn. But sure, let’s gut it.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Cuts to related programs like Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps) are also on the chopping block. These programs often work in tandem with WIC to provide a lifeline for families. Strip one and you weaken the entire system.
And for those worried about “handouts”: more than half of WIC recipients are working families—many juggling multiple jobs and still unable to afford healthy food thanks to skyrocketing inflation and stagnant wages. In 2024, there were 99,395 South Carolina residents who benefited from the program. This averages about $53.20 per person per month.
It’s hard to see how this saves money long-term. According to research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, every dollar spent on WIC returns up to $2.48 in healthcare savings. So not only is this morally indefensible—it’s economically dumb.
This proposal is less about budgeting and more about signaling. It tells millions of American families—especially women and children—that their health and well-being just isn’t a priority. All while subsidies for big business and tax loopholes for billionaires remain untouched. Priorities, right?
Remember, you can’t build a strong future by underfeeding it.
