H.R. 8055House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Extending WIC for New Moms Act

Introduced March 24, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 3, 2026 at 5:42 AM UTC

The Extending WIC for New Moms Act would lengthen the time new mothers can receive benefits from the WIC program. It changes the eligibility window from six months after birth to 24 months for postpartum nutrition, and from one year to 24 months for breastfeeding support. The bill also requires the USDA to report on how these changes affect health outcomes and breastfeeding rates. It applies to all postpartum individuals who qualify for WIC.

Key Provisions

  • Extends the postpartum eligibility period for WIC benefits from six months to 24 months after birth.
  • Extends the breastfeeding support period under WIC from one year to 24 months after birth.
  • Mandates a USDA report to Congress within two years evaluating the impact on maternal and infant health, breastfeeding rates, and family experiences.
  • Defines “postpartum” as the first year after the last day of pregnancy (used for reference in the bill).

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

March 24, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 24, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

March 24, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 24, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8055

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 24, 2026

Mrs. McBath (for herself, Ms. Adams, Mr. Takano, Mrs. Sykes, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Ms. Scholten, Mr. Huffman, Mrs. Foushee, Ms. McClellan, Ms. Underwood, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Schneider, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Strickland, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Torres of California, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Torres of New York, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Mfume, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Magaziner, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Crockett, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Lieu, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Soto, Ms. Meng, Ms. Budzinski, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Pappas, Ms. Stevens, Ms. Elfreth, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Mr. Bell, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Pressley, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Norton, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Ivey, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Conaway, Mr. García of Illinois, Mr. Garamendi, Mrs. Beatty, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Stansbury, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. Moulton, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Figures, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Horsford, Ms. DelBene, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Ms. Sewell, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Craig, Mr. McGarvey, Mrs. Grijalva, Mr. Carson, Mr. Latimer, and Ms. Tokuda) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To extend eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for new moms, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

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

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 section, 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 under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); and

(4)

other relevant information as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(d)

Postpartum defined

The term postpartum refers to the 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy of an individual.