Exclusive: White House says it has funding to save food aid program
Good news for millions of American families — the White House has managed to secure funding to keep a crucial food aid program alive, even as the government shutdown continues to loom large.
What’s Happening
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) — a lifeline for low-income mothers, babies, and young kids — was on the brink of losing its funding. This program helps provide vouchers for healthy food, breastfeeding support, and nutritional education. Without quick action, many families could have faced food insecurity within weeks.
How the White House Stepped In
According to a senior White House official, the administration has come up with what they call a “creative solution” — transferring funds from tariff revenue to keep WIC running “for the foreseeable future.” It’s being described as a temporary fix, though the exact amount of funding wasn’t disclosed.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reportedly played a key role in finding this workaround, ensuring the program continues to support the 6 million people who depend on it. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the federal government spent over $7 billion on WIC.
What Both Sides Are Saying
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the move, saying,
“President Trump and the White House have identified a creative solution to transfer resources from Section 232 tariff revenue to this critical program. The Trump White House will not allow impoverished mothers and their babies to go hungry because of the Democrats’ political games.”
However, Democrats have pushed back, arguing that Republicans have repeatedly tried to cut or limit WIC funding in Congress. They also note that Trump’s earlier policies — particularly his “one big beautiful bill” — made it harder for some to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest food aid initiative.
Why It Matters
This funding decision provides short-term relief to millions of families who rely on WIC to meet basic nutritional needs. But it also highlights the political tug-of-war surrounding federal food programs and the ongoing struggle to protect vulnerable communities from becoming casualties of Washington’s budget battles.
The Bottom Line
While this move keeps WIC alive for now, it’s a temporary fix — not a permanent solution. Long-term stability will depend on bipartisan cooperation to ensure that essential nutrition programs remain funded, no matter what happens in Congress.
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