It’s easy to tune out Congress’ ongoing squabbles over budgets and bills, but Americans may want to pay attention because of three major issues that could affect their wallets.
With the latest stopgap measure expiring next month, Congress again is preparing for a budget showdown. Included in that faceoff, extra funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which help low-income people pay for food and energy. Both still need budget approval to keep operating at full speed.
Separately, a multi-year enhanced child tax credit that passed in the House in January has yet to go for a Senate vote. If passed, as many as 400,000 children would be lifted out of poverty in its first year, the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CPBB) think tank said.
“The three programs together will make a significant difference in strengthening low-income families,” said Mark Wolfe, director of National Energy Assistance Directors Association, which represents state directors of LIHEAP.
WIC
WIC provides nutrition assistance to 6.7 million women and children, but participation’s rising as more Americans struggle financially. To serve them, WIC needs another $1 billion, the United States Department of Agriculture said last December.
In the last two stopgap measures to keep the government running, Congress didn’t provide any additional money.
If…
