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The govenerment has been shut down for nearly 2 weeks now and WIC is starting to be affected. WIC provides nutritional assistance for more than 7 million women and their children. If the shut down lasts too much longer, then WIC will no longer be able to provide assistance to those in need. Locally in Kinston, a woman said certain grocery stores were no longer accepting WIC.
Food stamps are another benefit that will be affected, along with the 38.6 million Americans who depend on it. The agency says it only has $3 billion in reserves to cover until February. If distributed evenly, that would break down to 19.4 million households receiving an average of $90 for the month, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. How long the programs will lasts throughout the shutdown will vary by state.
The shutdown also means that federal workers are no longer getting paid, Native American tribes that rely on federal funding for food and health clinics are no longer getting assistance, the immigrant issues are getting worse since immigration court is shutdown. Even airports around the country are suffering. TSA is a federal job and if there are no paychecks coming, some workers are starting to call out of work.
Trump plans to address the nation on Tuesday at 9 p.m. about “the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern border.” Trump will be making a personal trip to the border this week.
The White House says they are trying to avoid the delay in tax refund payouts.
I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2019
Written by Clarke Jones