S. 1593Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Extending WIC for New Moms Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 7:31 AM UTC

The Extending WIC for New Moms Act changes the Child Nutrition Act to lengthen the time new mothers can receive WIC benefits. It expands postpartum eligibility from six months to 24 months and extends the breastfeeding support period from one year to 24 months. The bill also requires the USDA to report on how these changes affect health outcomes and breastfeeding rates. It affects low‑income pregnant and postpartum women who use WIC.

Key Provisions

Extend the postpartum eligibility period for WIC benefits from six months to 24 months.
Extend the breastfeeding support eligibility period from one year to 24 months.
Require the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report within two years evaluating the impact on maternal and infant health, breastfeeding rates, racial and ethnic disparities, and family experiences.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

May 15, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 15, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

May 15, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued May 15, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1593

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 15, 2023

Mr. Blumenthal (for himself and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A BILL

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.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Extending WIC for New Moms Act.

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.