This afternoon, the Senate voted 92-6 to pass a four bill spending package that included funding for WIC. The bill included an amendment from Senator Casey (D-PA) with a $7.5 million increase for the WIC breastfeeding peer counselor program. Thank you to those of you who contacted your Senators to ask for their support on this amendment via our action alert. NWA wishes to extend special thanks to Senator Casey, and the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee professional staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure the inclusion of this funding increase in the final package.
This is not the end of the road for WIC appropriations for FY 2019. In an unusual circumstance, the Senate took up the agriculture appropriations bill on the floor before its passage through the House. This indicates that it is possible that the House and Senate may move forward to conference on this spending bill, instead of first debating it on the House floor. NWA will continue to monitor the progress of the agriculture appropriations bill, and will keep our members updated on opportunities to weigh in with Members of Congress in support of WIC funding. As a reminder, you can read our prior analyses of the Senate and House Agriculture appropriations bills.