Sponsors (6)
The bill preserves continuous WIC benefits for vulnerable pregnant people, infants, and children during funding lapses, but does so via open‑ended Treasury funding that raises near‑term federal costs and risks weakening 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.
State WIC agencies are reimbursed for state funds they spent maintaining WIC between Sept. 30, 2025 and enactment, reducing immediate financial strain on state budgets.
Continuity of WIC operations helps prevent short‑term increases in food insecurity and related health costs for families that rely on the program.
Taxpayers could face increased federal outlays because the provision authorizes uncapped 'such sums as are necessary' from the Treasury to fund WIC during a lapse.
Establishing uncapped emergency Treasury funding for WIC creates a precedent that may encourage similar requests for other programs, complicating long‑term budget discipline.
Providing Treasury‑funded continuity could reduce incentives for timely congressional action on full USDA appropriations if lawmakers rely on this backstop.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes open-ended FY2026 emergency Treasury funding to keep WIC running during a USDA appropriations lapse and reimburses states for prior expenditures.
Official title: To make continuing appropriations for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in the event of a Government shutdown.
Introduced October 28, 2025 by Robert P. Bresnahan · Last progress October 28, 2025
Provides open-ended emergency funding from the Treasury in FY2026 so the WIC program can continue operating if USDA discretionary appropriations lapse. It also reimburses State agencies for funds they already spent to keep WIC running between September 30, 2025 and the date this law is enacted, and the emergency funding ends once regular FY2026 USDA appropriations (including any continuing resolution) are enacted. This measure only covers funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a funding gap and does not change program rules or eligibility.