The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees the federal budget, issued a directive freezing federal financial assistance programs, effective 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. This pause could have wide-ranging implications, given that $3 trillion was spent on federal assistance programs in 2024. It remains unclear whether this will impact vital programs like WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. This evening, a federal judge enjoined the action, delaying its implementation until Monday, Feb. 3.
For more than 50 years, WIC has been a bedrock of support for moms, babies and young children nationwide, providing critical nutrition and health services. These families deserve peace of mind that WIC will be there for them as long as needed.
Rather than providing families on WIC with comfort, however, the Administration is embarking on a wholly misguided funding freeze that has injected unnecessary confusion and will lead to potentially catastrophic consequences. If fully implemented, this order will help no one but hurt everyone—especially those for whom every day can be a struggle to put food on the table and receive medical care. As a nation, we can and must do better than this.
We are actively seeking clarity from the Administration that WIC will not be subjected to the Office of Management and Budget’s harmful directive. In the meantime, WIC participants should know WIC offices and clinics remain open for business and their benefits can continue to be redeemed as usual. As always, we applaud the staff in state and local WIC offices around the country who work heroically to support individuals and families in their communities, even and especially in times of uncertainty.