The Trump administration recently announced a plan to use tariff money to support the WIC program during the government shutdown. WIC, which stands for Women, Infants, and Children, helps nearly 7 million pregnant women, new mothers, and young children access healthy food options. However, the program was running low on funds as Congress had yet to approve a spending bill for fiscal year 2026, which started on October 1. The National WIC Association warned the program might run out of money within a week or two of the shutdown.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared this announcement on social media, pointing out that the Democrats’ actions led to this urgency. She called the use of tariff revenue a creative solution to help those in need. Tariff collections have reportedly reached $190 billion this year, primarily from taxes on imports such as aluminum and steel, citing national security concerns. Although the tariff funds are held in a general treasury account, the administration could potentially reallocate them for WIC.
Despite the temporary funding solution, the National WIC Association expressed concern over the future of the program. CEO Georgia Machell highlighted that families need long-term stability, indicating it’s unclear how much funding will be provided and when states will receive it. The legality of using tariff funds in this manner was also questioned by Chris Towner, policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, who pointed out that without congressional approval, spending this money could be problematic.
WIC has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support, but the shutdown has made it a focal point for discussions about its impact on American families. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats for the shutdown’s effects, pointing out that the WIC program is left vulnerable during such budget stalemates.
Additionally, with rising food prices affecting many families, WIC enrollment has increased. Thanks to policy changes and the easing of enrollment processes, participation rose to nearly 6.9 million by May 2023. However, advocates worry there won’t be enough funding for the coming year, which contrasts with other programs like food stamps that do not have a cap on funding. The current WIC budget is set at $7.6 billion, but proposed cuts could further strain resources.
Overall, the situation exemplifies how budget negotiations directly impact vital assistance programs. With families relying on support for basic needs, the stakes of these discussions are particularly high as the government seeks a resolution to the budget impasse.
