It’s National Breastfeeding Month and USDA data show that breastfeeding among #WIC participants not only rose sharply in the wake of the 2022 infant formula shortage, but continues to increase, as WIC provides essential breastfeeding support.
Zoe Neuberger
@zoeneuberger.bsky.social
Believer that public policy can make the world a better place. Views are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
It’s National Breastfeeding Month, which is a good time to point out how helpful the #WIC program can be for parents trying to breastfeed a new baby. www.cbpp.org/blog/growing...
While recognizing the need to address the unfolding hunger crisis, the farm bill considered by the Sen Ag Cmte today doesn’t do enough for people losing SNAP & makes even deeper future cuts to SNAP. This fall, Congress must enact a bipartisan solution. www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
Congress Must Strengthen Farm Bill to Fight Unfolding Hunger Crisis
A child hunger crisis is unfolding in plain sight: it’s very likely that more than 1.5 million children nationwide have lost food assistance in the wake of unprecedented SNAP cuts in last year’s...
cbpp.org
Sharon Parrott@sharonparrott.bsky.social · 2w agoIn the face of the child hunger crisis unfolding in plain sight, Chair Boozman’s farm bill proposal falls short on SNAP, despite including a step in the right direction, and further changes are needed before the legislation moves forward.
It’s National Breastfeeding Month and evidence of #WIC’s effectiveness continues to mount. In the wake of the 2022 infant formula shortage, more WIC participants began to breastfeed. The latest data confirms that the share of participants who breastfeed continues to grow.
There was a SNAP development yesterday that has important implications for low-income children's access to nutrition assistance, as @sharonparrott.bsky.social explains⬇️
Sharon Parrott@sharonparrott.bsky.social · 2w agoIn the face of the child hunger crisis unfolding in plain sight, Chair Boozman’s farm bill proposal falls short on SNAP, despite including a step in the right direction, and further changes are needed before the legislation moves forward.
🧵No one should be forced to sleep outside in a nation as wealthy as ours. Yet, one year ago today, Pres. Trump issued an executive order (EO) calling on federal agencies to abandon effective homelessness solutions in favor of punishing people who have nowhere safe to sleep.
We estimate that at least 1.5 million fewer kids are receiving SNAP than when the harmful Republican reconciliation law was enacted 9 months ago. That highlights the urgency and importance of Congress delaying the SNAP cost shift.
Katie Bergh@katiebergh.bsky.social · 3w ago🚨NEW: In the 9 months after last year’s reconciliation law enacted unprecedented SNAP cuts, the number of people receiving SNAP fell by more than 4.5 million. Based on available data, we estimate that at least 1.5 million fewer kids are receiving SNAP. www.cbpp.org/research/foo...
In just the 17 states that have made the data available, about 1 million fewer kids are receiving SNAP compared to July 2025, when H.R. 1 enacted the deepest SNAP cuts in history. We estimate that nationwide more than 1.5 million children have lost SNAP.
Katie Bergh@katiebergh.bsky.social · last mo.NEW: A year after H.R. 1 enacted the deepest SNAP cuts in history, the number of children receiving SNAP nationwide has likely dropped by more than 1.5 million, based on our analysis of available data from 17 states. www.cbpp.org/research/foo...
The Admin has proposed a rule that would radically transform how federal grant award decisions are made, allow it to politicize what should be a merit-based, nonpartisan process, & introduce an enormous risk of abuse & corruption. This is a big deal. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Virtual services have transformed #WIC, allowing applicants to enroll by phone during work breaks & avoid long trips to WIC clinics in rural areas.
Since H.R.1’s SNAP cuts were enacted last July, more than 700,000 children have lost SNAP benefits in just the 12 states that post data. Take a moment to let that sink in. www.cbpp.org/blog/sharp-d...
Sharp Drop in Number of Children Receiving SNAP Food Assistance Under New Federal Law
While cutting SNAP eligibility for children was not a stated target of H.R. 1’s proponents, the cost shift and access barriers are resulting in serious losses of food assistance for low-income childre...
cbpp.org
Katie Bergh@katiebergh.bsky.social · 3mo agoNEW: In just the 12 states with available data, the number of children receiving SNAP has fallen by more than 700,000 since H.R. 1's unprecedented SNAP cuts were enacted last July — despite claims from Republican lawmakers that kids wouldn't lose benefits.
It's not just adults losing SNAP benefits. Children are too. #WIC, #schoolmeals, and other child nutrition programs are critical, but can't make up for losing SNAP.
Katie Bergh@katiebergh.bsky.social · 3mo ago🚨SNAP tracker update: Data through February is now available for all states. In the 7 months since H.R. 1 enacted the deepest SNAP cuts in history last summer, we estimate that SNAP participation fell by more than 3.5 million people nationwide. cbpp.org/research/foo...
Yet this week the House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill that underfunds #WIC & would take away over $141 million in fruits & vegetables from nearly 5.4 million toddlers, preschoolers & parents. www.cbpp.org/blog/house-a...
House Agriculture Bill Underfunds WIC, Cuts Fruit and Vegetable Benefit, and Fails to Make Virtual Services Permanent
For the second year in a row, House Republican appropriators are jeopardizing access to WIC.
cbpp.org
Zoe Neuberger@zoeneuberger.bsky.social · 3mo agoCheck out how #WIC’s healthy foods & nutrition education improve health, support breastfeeding, help low-income families afford groceries & contribute to local economies in YOUR state⬇️ www.cbpp.org/wicworksfactsheets
Check out how #WIC’s healthy foods & nutrition education improve health, support breastfeeding, help low-income families afford groceries & contribute to local economies in YOUR state⬇️ www.cbpp.org/wicworksfactsheets
WIC Improves Health and Contributes to Local Economies
Click on a state in our map to learn how WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and assistance with health care and social services.
cbpp.org
One of the many ways #WIC helps families with babies who have low incomes is by supporting breastfeeding. 🧵 www.cbpp.org/wicworks
WIC Works: A Cost-Effective Investment in Improving Low-Income Families’ Nutrition and Health
WIC supports sound nutrition and health at critical points in development — in utero, during infancy, as a toddler, and during the early childhood years.
cbpp.org
This is an important proposal for low-income families with young children ⬇️
Kris Cox@krisycox.bsky.social · 4mo agoThe #EITC is an important tool for helping low- & moderate-income working fams w/ kids afford the basics. Rep. McDonald-Rivet has intro’d a valuable bill expanding the EITC that @centeronbudget.bsky.social estimates would help >5M low-inc kids under age 4. mcdonaldrivet.house.gov/media/press-...
The House agriculture appropriations bill would underfund WIC & take away over $141 million in fruits & vegetables from nearly 5.4 million toddlers, preschoolers & parents in low-income families. It also fails to permanently extend virtual services like phone appointments.
Ty Jones Cox@tyjonescox.bsky.social · 4mo agoFor 30 years, Congress has fully funded #WIC to ensure all eligible families who apply can receive full benefits. The House agriculture appropriations bill would break this promise: it would underfund WIC & cut benefits for WIC participants in every state. www.cbpp.org/blog/house-a...
If the Administration eliminates SNAP’s “broad-based categorical eligibility” (BBCE) policy, about 6 million people will lose SNAP, including 1.8 million children, which reduces access to school meals & WIC. www.cbpp.org/research/foo...
Last week, Senate Republicans voted to strike down a tax law the D.C. Council passed late last year. It now awaits the President’s signature. That’s bad for D.C. families and businesses – but may not be the final word x.com/waxmansd/sta...
x.com
The House Agriculture Committee’s farm bill ignores the needs of low-income people struggling to afford the rising cost of groceries, many of whom are already losing food assistance under the harmful Republican megabill’s (HR 1) unprecedented #SNAP cuts. This is unacceptable.
I am grateful to the immigrants who have helped shape me--my grandparents, relatives, friends & teachers. I cherish the vibrancy immigrants bring to my neighborhood & our country. And I am touched by this tribute⬇️ #ToImmigrantsWithLove
Shelby Gonzales @shelbytgonzales.bsky.social · 6mo agoDear Mom and Dad: on this Valentine’s Day, I want to thank you with all my heart for all the love and support you have given to me and the confidence you instilled in me as you shared your dreams of what is possible in this great nation. #ToImmigrantsWithLove
On policy grounds and as a DC resident, I'm dismayed by this federal interference. It will hurt people who are struggling to make ends meet, make filing taxes more difficult for everyone, and weaken DC's budget outlook, all while undermining local decision-making.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities@centeronbudget.bsky.social · 6mo agoCBPP's Samantha Waxman on today's Senate vote to overturn parts of D.C.'s tax law (via X): x.com/waxmansd/sta...
For 50 years #WIC has been improving the health & development of new & expecting parents & young children by providing nutritious foods & vital services. It’s an example of government at its best. We compiled research on WIC’s effectiveness. Key findings↓ www.cbpp.org/wicworks
WIC Works: A Cost-Effective Investment in Improving Low-Income Families’ Nutrition and Health
Sound investments that reduce early childhood adversity can improve physical and mental health for a lifetime.[2] Extensive research finds that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,...
cbpp.org
In the wake of another horrific shooting death in MN by federal immigration officers -on top of wrongful detentions, violence, & fear there & across the country- it is appropriate for the Senate to use the budget process to push for critical protections for people & communities.
Well said. Setting rules, establishing guardrails, and conducting oversight are important components of the annual budget process, and critical to our democracy.
Shelby Gonzales @shelbytgonzales.bsky.social · 7mo agoSenators have the responsibility to uphold and defend the Constitution. Using the annual budget process when necessary to protect the constitutional rights and safety of all people and communities should be a requirement of the job.
Undertaking a sweeping investigation of almost all federal funding to 14 states & D.C. – all but one led by a Democrat – is a harmful & shameful escalation of the Admin’s corrupt politicization of basic governance & suggests funding freezes may be coming. www.cnn.com/2026/01/22/p...
Trump administration orders review of federal funding in more than a dozen Democratic states | CNN Politics
The Trump administration has ordered a review of federal funding sent to more than a dozen Democratic-led states, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
cnn.com
Update: USDA revised their #SNAP contingency fund plan to provide households with a larger share of their November benefits. This is an important but inadequate step. Families need their full benefits to afford groceries & the Administration has the authority to provide them.
Katie Bergh@katiebergh.bsky.social · 9mo agoNew data: CBPP analyzed USDA’s contingency fund spending plan & found it is only going to release 2/3 of the funding they committed to in court filings, cutting families’ SNAP benefits far more than necessary, violating USDA’s own regulations & shortchanging millions of families.
USDA is cutting SNAP benefits far more than necessary. #WIC benefits are still flowing, but WIC is a supplemental program. WIC participants who rely on SNAP for basic groceries & to feed other family members are likely to struggle to get enough to eat. Details⬇️
Katie Bergh@katiebergh.bsky.social · 9mo agoNew data: CBPP analyzed USDA’s contingency fund spending plan & found it is only going to release 2/3 of the funding they committed to in court filings, cutting families’ SNAP benefits far more than necessary, violating USDA’s own regulations & shortchanging millions of families.
As @TyJonesCox explains, millions of children are paying the price for the Administration’s failure to follow the law, do basic planning & use all available options to get full November #SNAP benefits out, but it's not too late to get full benefits to all participants.
Ty Jones Cox@tyjonescox.bsky.social · 9mo agoIt is a relief that the Administration is finally agreeing to do the bare minimum and follow the law by using the #SNAP contingency reserve to partially fund November SNAP benefits & nutrition assistance in Puerto Rico & American Samoa.
The Administration should take all available legal steps to keep #SNAP and #WIC benefits flowing and services uninterrupted during the shutdown.
Sharon Parrott@sharonparrott.bsky.social · 10mo agoThe Administration is legally required to use contingency reserves to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 Americans who need #SNAP to afford groceries, despite USDA Sec. Rollins’ claim that the Administration is unable to do so. My statement: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...