June 16, 2011           

carson opposes cuts to food programs

Agriculture appropriations bill slashes assistance for food, nutrition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 217-203 to cut the funds budgeted for food assistance for women, children, and low-income Americans by $650 million.  Congressman André Carson voted against the cuts.

“No issue should be as bi-partisan as feeding children,” Carson said.  “But Republicans in the House have yet again showed their misplaced priorities.  To continue providing billions in tax cuts for millionaires and oil companies while gutting nutrition programs for children when food prices are rising is inexcusable.”

Under the legislation, funding for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program would decrease by 10 percent – denying up to 350,000 low-income women and children from receiving food in the next year. This number includes as many as 6,600 Hoosiers who would see their lifeline to essential food severed.

Economists estimate that every dollar invested in WIC saves between $1.77 and $3.13 in health care costs in the first 60 days after an infant’s birth by reducing the instance of low-birth-weight babies and improving child immunization rates.

###