House Debates Funding Cuts For Food Safety, Nutrition Programs

The U.S. House of Representatives debated an agriculture appropriations bill that cuts funding for nutrition and food safety programs. “In a bit of a twist, the House is allowing votes on amendments, so the floor debate could last hours, if not a day or two, congressional aides predict,” according to NPR, which also notes that the White House has not indicated it would veto a bill that includes cuts.

What’s in the bill? For starters, $650 million in cuts to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities “estimates that up to 350,000 eligible women and children could lose access to the program under the House bill,” according to NPR.

Check out NPR’s coverage for a full assessment of the other cuts and provisions in the bill.