White House to Tap Tariff Revenue to Keep WIC Funded During Shutdown
The WIC nutrition program — an $8 billion program serving more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children — faces a lapse during the government shutdown as its $150 million contingency fund could be exhausted within one to two weeks. The White House announced that President Trump authorized an OMB‑developed plan to transfer Section 232 tariff revenue to keep WIC running, though officials have not disclosed the precise amount and say the infusion should cover costs "for the foreseeable future."
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📌 Key Facts
- WIC is an about $8 billion program serving more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children nationwide.
- The program is being temporarily supported by a $150 million contingency fund that experts and WIC advocates say could run dry within one to two weeks; National WIC Association policy director Ali Hard said, “We feel good about one to two weeks.”
- The White House announced that President Trump authorized a plan to use Section 232 tariff revenue to sustain WIC while the government shutdown continues; press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the move.
- The Office of Management and Budget developed the short‑term “creative solution” to transfer tariff funds to WIC, according to the White House.
- The administration has not disclosed the precise dollar amount to be transferred, but officials told Fox News the infusion is expected to cover WIC costs “for the foreseeable future.”
- Coverage includes personal accounts of hardship: a named WIC participant, Taylor Moyer, described how the program helps provide nutritious meals for her family.
- Reporting situates the developments in a broader political context, including comments from House Speaker Mike Johnson and references to Project 2025.
📰 Sources (4)
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.'