New NWLC Report Shows Uneven Harm of Cutting Basic Need Programs for Women & LGBTQ+ People

Washington, DC – As congressional Republicans and the Trump administration push for deep cuts to essential government programs, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) has released a comprehensive new resource highlighting the critical role these programs play in the lives of women and LGBTQI+ people.   

The report, By the Numbers: Data on Key Programs for the Well-Being of Women, LGBTQI+ People, and Their Families, provides compelling, data-driven evidence of how proposed cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, housing assistance, help with the cost of higher education, refundable tax credits, and social insurance programs would disproportionately harm women—especially Black, Latina, and Native women—as well as LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

“It is indisputable that women and children will be hit hardest if congressional Republicans and Donald Trump succeed in slashing basic needs programs,” said Amy Matsui, senior director of income security at NWLC. “Our research shows that these programs are lifelines for families—providing health care, food, housing, help affording higher education, and income supports. Instead of robbing people of these basic supports, Congress should ensure billionaires pay their fair share so that we can invest in families and lower costs for everyone.” 

By the Numbers: Data on Key Programs for the Well-Being of Women, LGBTQI+ People, and Their Families, includes data on the following programs: 

Health Care 

  • Medicaid 
  • Advance Premium Tax Credits 

Nutrition Assistance 

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 
  • National School Meals Programs 
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program 

Housing Assistance 

Educational Opportunity 

  • Pell Grants 
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance 

Refundable Tax Credits 

  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC) 
  • Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) 

Social Insurance Programs 

  • Unemployment Insurance (UI) 
  • Social Security 
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)