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S. 4191Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Extending WIC for New Moms Act

Sponsored by Angela D. AlsobrooksSen. Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD)
Introduced March 25, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 3, 2026 at 5:42 AM UTC

The Extending WIC for New Moms Act would change the Child Nutrition Act to let new mothers stay in the WIC program for a longer time. It lengthens the postpartum eligibility window from six months to 24 months and also extends the period during which breastfeeding support is covered from one year to 24 months. The bill also requires the USDA to report to Congress within two years on how these changes affect health outcomes and breastfeeding rates.

Key Provisions

  • Extend the postpartum eligibility period for WIC participants from six months to 24 months.
  • Extend the breastfeeding support period under WIC from one year to 24 months.
  • Require the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report within two years evaluating the impact of these extensions on maternal and infant health, breastfeeding rates, 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

March 25, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 25, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

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

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

March 25, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 25, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4191

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 25, 2026

Ms. Alsobrooks (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Durbin) 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.

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 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.