He cited the loss of food benefits for nearly 7 million lowincome women and children
Joe Biden
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WASHINGTON (Portal) US President Joe Biden and one of his top advisers warned on Monday that a government shutdown could cause widespread suffering, including a rapid loss of food supplies for nearly 7 million lowincome women and children.
Biden said at a meeting about historically black colleges and universities that Congress’s failure to fund the federal government would have devastating consequences for the black community, including reduced nutritional benefits.
Biden said he and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed on government spending levels several months ago.
“We made a deal, we shook hands,” he said. “Now a small group of extremist Republicans in the House of Representatives … want to renege on this deal, and everyone in America may have to pay the price.”
Asked if he had spoken to McCarthy, Biden replied: “I haven’t.” When asked when they would talk, he shook his head.
CONTINUED AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack previously warned that some aid could be disrupted within days or weeks if Congress fails to provide funding for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Vilsack said the “vast majority” of participants in the special nutritional supplement program for women and children, known as WIC, could be affected by immediate benefit cuts.
“If there is a shutdown, WIC will be closed,” Vilsack told reporters. “For what reason? There is no reason for this interruption.”
Millions of Americans are relying on food aid to survive after inflation squeezed family budgets and made foods ranging from bread to vegetables to baby formula more expensive. According to the Biden administration, nearly half of all newborns in the U.S. rely on WIC.
The Republicancontrolled House could push forward with drastic spending cuts this week that would almost certainly be rejected by the Democraticcontrolled Senate. Although the cuts will not take effect, the failure of both chambers to reach an agreement could lead to a partial shutdown of the federal government next Sunday.
Lawmakers on Tuesday are expected to approve four budget projects for the new fiscal year that would impose greater restrictions on access to abortion, dismantle a Biden administration climate initiative costing $11 billion and build the wall between the US and the US would resume Mexico, a project branded by former President Donald Trump. Biden has promised to veto at least two of the projects.