House Passes Bill Slashing Nutrition Aid for Women and Children

In a 213-210 party-line vote, the House approved an appropriations bill Thursday that reduces nutrition assistance for millions of young children and mothers. The measure, which received support from four Democrats, targets fruit and vegetable subsidies even as food costs continue to climb across the country.

The legislation aims to fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the upcoming fiscal year by cutting the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by $200 million. Nearly $141 million of that reduction specifically impacts fruit and vegetable vouchers. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates these changes will affect roughly 5.4 million participants, including toddlers and pregnant or postpartum women.

Four Democrats crossed the aisle to support the bill: Reps. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Adam Gray of California, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, and Don Davis of North Carolina. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, criticized the move, noting that working families are already struggling with rising prices and the impact of recent tariffs on farmers.

While the bill does not fully mirror the 75% reduction in vegetable benefits initially proposed by the White House, the National WIC Association warns it represents a significant erosion of support. CEO Georgia Machell stated the proposal could force the program to turn away eligible families for the first time in 30 years, effectively ending a long-standing bipartisan commitment to full funding. The bill now heads to the Senate, with any final implementation dependent on a signature from President Donald Trump.