Home > Legislative Action Center > Action Alert - 1/19/07
- Crucial spending decisions are being made this week in Congress. Call your Senators and House Members and urge them to support adequate funding for anti-hunger programs and urge them to reject “across-the-board” cuts.
FY2008 Appropriations: Since October 1, government programs have continued to operate under a series of Continuing Resolutions (CR), of which the latest expires on Dec. 14. While long term resolutions to the appropriations crisis continue, Congress is expected to pass a stopgap spending bill (H J Res 69), that would fund government programs (including SCHIP) through Dec. 21, when Congress adjourns for the year.
Decisions on a year-long omnibus funding bill are being made now. In his FY2008 budget, the President set a spending limit of $933 billion, which included $5.387 billion for WIC. Since this was introduced a year ago, the WIC program has experienced rising food costs, growing caseload and declining rebates – all pushing up the resources needed to serve anticipated caseloads for FY2008. It is now projected that WIC will need approximately $6 billion to serve an anticipated caseload of 8.56 million low-income women, infants and children for FY 2008.
Your Action is Needed: Call your Senators and House Members toll-free, 888-245-0215 (generously provided by the Coalition on Human Needs). Appropriations subcommittees are in the process of making cuts with final decisions expected early next week leading to a possible House floor vote the evening of Dec. 17.
Message for FY2008 Appropriations:
- Specifically urge adequate funding levels for: (1) WIC’s anticipated average monthly caseload of 8.56 million (approximately $6 billion); (2) the Simplified Summer Food Program (H.R. 3161 provision for nationwide expansion); and (3) the Congressional Hunger Center’s Emerson/Leland Hunger Fellows Program ($2.5 million).
- The final FY 2008 appropriations bill must provide adequate funding for anti-hunger and other human needs programs and services that provide a safety net for low-income and vulnerable people.
- Congress should reject proposals for “across-the-board cuts” which would weaken these vital support programs.
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