House passes spending bill cutting WIC funding by $200M

The House of Representatives narrowly passed a Republican-led spending bill on Thursday that would reduce funding for a key federal nutrition program serving low-income women and children. The vote was 213 to 210.

The legislation, which funds the Agriculture Department and related agencies for the coming fiscal year, includes a reduction to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC. The bill would cut the program's overall funding by approximately $200 million compared to current levels, with a specific reduction of about $141 million to the cash-value benefit participants use to purchase fruits and vegetables.

According to an estimate from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the change would affect benefits for nearly 5.4 million toddlers, preschoolers, and pregnant and postpartum women. The cut represents a roughly 10 percent reduction to the monthly fruit and vegetable allowance. Under current law, children receive about $26 per month, pregnant and postpartum participants receive about $48, and fully breastfeeding participants receive about $52.

The vote was largely along party lines but saw crossover in both directions....