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White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Tuesday that President Donald Trump has licensed a plan to make use of tariff income to maintain the WIC diet program working throughout the federal government shutdown, vowing the administration “is not going to enable moms and kids to go hungry.”
In a put up on X, Leavitt accused Democrats of “cruelly voting to close down the federal government,” saying their actions pressured the Particular Supplemental Vitamin Program for Ladies, Infants and Youngsters, or WIC, to expire of funds this week.
Leavitt added that Trump had directed officers to faucet Part 232 tariff income to maintain WIC.
The White Home confirmed to Fox Information that the plan is a short-term “inventive resolution” developed by the Workplace of Administration and Funds (OMB).
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White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks throughout a press briefing on the White Home on Monday. (AP Pictures)
“The Trump White Home is not going to enable impoverished moms and their infants to go hungry due to the Democrats’ political video games,” Leavitt stated in an announcement.
How a lot tariff cash can be used has not but been disclosed, however the infusion is anticipated to cowl prices “for the foreseeable future.” This system had been projected to exhaust its funds inside weeks.
WIC supplies vouchers for wholesome meals, breastfeeding help and diet schooling to roughly 6 million low-income girls and kids nationwide.
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Tariff income will cowl the prices of WIC, aka Particular Supplemental Vitamin Program for Ladies, Infants and Youngsters, as the federal government shutdown continues. (iStock)
The federal authorities spent greater than $7 billion on this system throughout fiscal 2024, based on the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA).
Democrats have criticized Republicans in previous funds fights over WIC eligibility and funding ranges, whereas Republicans blame Democrat resistance to spending restraints for fueling the present shutdown.
White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks throughout a press briefing on the White Home in Washington, D.C. (Saul Loeb/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
The White Home has not stated how lengthy tariff funds will final or whether or not one other infusion can be wanted if Congress stays deadlocked.
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An official described the switch to Axios as a brief repair to guard susceptible households whereas negotiations proceed.
The White Home didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s/FOX Enterprise’ request for remark.
