March 25, 2026
Ms. Alsobrooks (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to extend eligibility of new moms for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Extending WIC for New Moms Act
.
Sec. 2. Extending WIC eligibility for new moms
(a) Extension of postpartum period
Section 17(b)(10) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)(10)) is amended by striking six months
and inserting 24 months
.
(b) Extension of breastfeeding period
Section 17(d)(3)(A)(ii) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking 1 year
and inserting 24 months
.
(c) Report
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report that includes an evaluation of the effect of each of the amendments made by this section on—
(1)
maternal and infant health outcomes, including racial and ethnic disparities with respect to such outcomes;
(2)
breastfeeding rates among postpartum individuals;
(3)
qualitative evaluations of family experiences under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); and
(4)
other relevant information, as determined by the Secretary.