White House uses $300M in tariff revenue to keep WIC running during shutdown
The White House announced it would use $300 million in unspent Section 232 tariff revenue — an OMB‑developed “creative solution” authorized by the administration and executed by USDA — to keep the WIC program running during the federal shutdown. The infusion comes as WIC, an $8 billion program serving more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children, faced imminent lapses once a $150 million contingency fund runs out in about one to two weeks, and has already allowed states (including Alaska and Washington) and tribal offices in Nevada to resume or extend services instead of fronting costs.
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📌 Key Facts
- WIC is an $8 billion federal nutrition program serving more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children.
- While the government was shut down, WIC initially relied on a $150 million contingency fund that experts and program officials warned could run dry in one to two weeks; Ali Hard, policy director of the National WIC Association, said, "We feel good about one to two weeks."
- The White House and OMB developed a "creative solution" to sustain WIC by tapping Section 232 tariff revenue; White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt publicly announced the plan.
- Officials first told Fox News the administration had not disclosed the precise amount but expected the tariff infusion to cover costs "for the foreseeable future"; subsequent reporting said USDA is using $300 million in unspent tariff revenue from the last fiscal year to keep WIC running during the shutdown.
- The $300 million infusion was intended to prevent states and tribal agencies from having to front WIC costs and seek later reimbursement.
- State and tribal impacts reported include: Alaska received nearly $900,000 (about $500,000 of which came from leftover funds from other programs), enough to fund its WIC program through Nov. 8; Washington received federal WIC funds; and the Inter‑Tribal Council of Nevada reopened its WIC office after receiving money.
- PBS and other coverage included human‑interest reporting—named WIC participant Taylor Moyer described how the program helps provide nutritious meals for her family.
📰 Sources (5)
WIC food program receives $300M to keep running during government shutdown
New information:
- USDA is using $300 million in unspent tariff revenue from the last fiscal year to sustain WIC during the shutdown.
- Alaska and Washington received federal WIC funds; Alaska got nearly $900,000, enough to fund its program through Nov. 8.
- The Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, which had shut its WIC office after funds ran out, reopened after receiving money.
- About half a million of Alaska’s funding came from leftover funds from other programs, according to a state health spokesperson.
- White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the administration found a 'creative solution' to use tariff revenues to keep WIC afloat.
- Without the infusion, states/localities would have had to front costs and seek later reimbursement.
White House blames Dems for potential WIC lapse, announces ‘creative solution' to keep program running
New information:
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump authorized a plan to use Section 232 tariff revenue to sustain WIC while the shutdown continues.
- The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) developed the short‑term 'creative solution' to transfer tariff funds to WIC; the White House confirmed the plan to Fox News.
- The administration has not disclosed the precise dollar amount to be transferred, but Fox cites officials saying the infusion is expected to cover costs 'for the foreseeable future.'
Government shutdown threatens WIC food program used by millions of families
New information:
- Includes a named WIC participant (Taylor Moyer) giving a first-person account of how WIC helps provide nutritious meals for her family.
- Direct attribution and quote from Ali Hard, policy director of the National WIC Association, saying the program is covered by a $150 million contingency fund and could last 'one to two weeks.'
- Restates program size ($8 billion) and the national participant count (more than 6 million) in a widely distributed AP dispatch and situates it in the political context (House Speaker Mike Johnson comments and Project 2025 reference).
Government shutdown threatens food aid program relied on by millions of families
New information:
- WIC program size cited as $8 billion and serving more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children.
- Program is being temporarily supported by a $150 million contingency fund that experts say could run dry within one to two weeks.
- Direct quote from Ali Hard, policy director for the National WIC Association: 'We feel good about one to two weeks.'