NCC Strongly Opposes House Agriculture Appropriations Bill
On Friday, the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on H.R. 4368, the FY 2024 appropriations bill for agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration; however, with divisions among factions within the Republican conference, Speaker Kevin McCarthy postponed the vote until after the August recess, when members of Congress will be working from their district offices.
Congress could consider the legislation as soon as immediately after Labor Day, a few weeks before funding for current government programs expires on September 30, but that is unlikely. Amongst other things, the House appropriations bill makes draconian cuts to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides healthy foods to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and their children under age 5. According to a report released by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, H.R. 4368 would cut food assistance for or altogether take it away from nearly 5.3 million women and children.
The NCC strongly opposes H.R. 4368 and we urge our member communions to contact your member of Congress and tell them to vote “No” on this harmful bill.