Sponsors (100)
The bill secures and clarifies WIC services and funding for low-income pregnant people, infants, and young children—improving access and predictability—while increasing open-ended federal spending authority and reducing administrative flexibility and opportunities for periodic congressional oversight.
Low-income pregnant people, infants, and young children will have more reliable access to WIC because the bill requires the Secretary to carry out the program (rather than leaving it permissive), reducing risk of service interruptions.
State and local WIC agencies and program participants will have more predictable funding because the bill establishes permanent "such sums as are necessary" appropriations beginning in FY2026, supporting continuity and planning.
Low-income individuals (including pregnant people and young children) may find it easier to enroll because the bill clarifies WIC eligibility language and reduces administrative ambiguity.
Taxpayers may face higher federal costs because the bill's open-ended "such sums as necessary" appropriations increase federal spending authority absent offsets.
State governments and program administrators could have less administrative flexibility because making program implementation mandatory may limit the Secretary's ability to adjust operations during budget shortfalls or changing needs.
Congress and taxpayers may have reduced oversight and fewer opportunities for periodic review because open-ended appropriations can complicate congressional oversight of WIC funding levels and performance.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes WIC implementation mandatory, clarifies eligibility wording, and creates a permanent "such sums as are necessary" appropriation starting FY2026.
Official title: To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require mandatory funding for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, and for other purposes.
Introduced October 10, 2025 by Robert C. Scott · Last progress October 10, 2025
Makes the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) mandatory to operate as written and creates a permanent funding mechanism by adding an open-ended appropriation. It replaces discretionary/optional language with mandatory language about carrying out the program, revises eligibility wording to a declarative form, and directs the Treasury to provide "such sums as are necessary" beginning in fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter to carry out the WIC statute.