1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to correct and clarify my earlier message and to restate my strong opposition to H.R. 8646, the House-passed Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. In my previous message, I included an incorrect reference while drafting quickly using external informational tools. I am correcting that here to ensure accuracy. The correct bill is H.R. 8646. The substance of my concern remains unchanged: I strongly oppose the provisions in H.R. 8646 that reduce WIC fruit and vegetable benefits for pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children. There is a growing national narrative promoted by public figures and political leaders—including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz—emphasizing the importance of healthier eating, reducing chronic disease, supporting breastfeeding, and improving public health through prevention rather than solely through medical intervention. There is validity to the idea that nutrition plays a critical role in health outcomes. However, that message becomes fundamentally contradictory when paired with policy choices that reduce access to healthy food for the very populations most in need of support. Cutting or reducing WIC fruit and vegetable benefits for pregnant and breastfeeding women directly undermines the stated goal of improving maternal and child health. It is not consistent to promote “Make America Healthy Again” messaging while simultaneously reducing the most basic nutritional supports that make healthy outcomes possible for low-income families. This is particularly striking given the public framing of health initiatives and rhetoric emphasizing personal responsibility, breastfeeding, and nutrition-based prevention. Those goals cannot be achieved in practice without ensuring access to nutritious food. If the goal is truly improved public health, reduced chronic disease, and stronger maternal and infant outcomes, then WIC nutrition benefits should be strengthened, not reduced. I respectfully urge you to oppose H.R. 8646 and any provisions that reduce WIC nutrition support. Thank you for your time and consideration.