Sponsors (6)
Introduced October 28, 2025 by Robert P. Bresnahan · Last progress October 28, 2025
The bill secures uninterrupted WIC benefits for vulnerable pregnant people, infants, and families during appropriations gaps and reimburses states for interim costs, but does so by authorizing uncapped Treasury funding that increases federal fiscal exposure and may weaken appropriations discipline.
Low-income pregnant people, infants, and young children keep uninterrupted access to WIC benefits during any USDA funding lapse because the Treasury will cover 'such sums as are necessary' in FY2026.
Continuity of WIC operations helps prevent short-term increases in food insecurity and associated health costs for families that rely on the program.
State WIC agencies are reimbursed for state funds they spent maintaining WIC between Sept. 30, 2025 and enactment, reducing financial strain on state budgets.
Taxpayers could face increased federal outlays because the appropriation authorizes uncapped 'such sums as are necessary' from the Treasury for WIC during a funding lapse.
Authorizing uncapped emergency Treasury funding for WIC sets a precedent that could encourage similar requests for other programs, complicating long-term budget discipline.
Treasury-funded continuity could reduce incentives for timely congressional action on full USDA appropriations if lawmakers rely on emergency coverage instead.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows uncapped emergency FY2026 Treasury funding to keep WIC running during any lapse in USDA appropriations and reimburses states for earlier emergency outlays.
Provides open-ended emergency Treasury funding for FY2026 so the WIC program can keep operating if USDA discretionary appropriations lapse; it authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to receive “such sums as are necessary” to continue WIC services and reimburses states for WIC funds they used between September 30, 2025 and the bill’s enactment. The emergency funding ends once regular FY2026 USDA appropriations (including any continuing resolution) are enacted.