Women and Infants Nutrition Program Endangered by Federal Shutdown

WIC will run out of federal funds soon, according to the White House, risking a loss of benefits to 6.8 million women, infants, and children.

Children walk outside an elementary school in Bellaire, near Houston, Texas, on Dec. 16, 2020. François Picard/AFP via Getty Images

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, will run out of federal funding “very soon” due to the federal government shutdown, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Oct. 6. 

The program provides nutritional support and education to about 6.8 million low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children younger than 5 years old.