Maurice Hinchey: “2 weeks ago the Committee on Appropriations rejected the President's request for full funding of WIC through the end of…”

“2 weeks ago the Committee on Appropriations rejected the President's request for full funding of WIC through the end of this fiscal year. Once again, the majority party here and its leadership is asking us to literally take the food out of children's mouths. First it was the school lunch cuts in 1995, then the $23 billion in cuts to food stamps in the 1996 welfare bill, and now in 1997 as many as 180,000 pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under age 5 will be denied basic nutrition. WIC is not Government waste. In fact, it is one of the most highly regarded Government programs. Extensive research shows that WIC has proven to reduce the incidence of low birth weights, infant mortality, and child anemia. And it is cost effective. According to the GAO, each $1 spent on prenatal WIC services saves the Government $3.50 in Medicaid and other costs. We need this program. Let us fund it fully and appropriately for the benefit and welfare of young families in America.”