119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 8055

Extending WIC for New Moms Act

Introduced

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill, the Extending WIC for New Moms Act, changes the length of time new mothers and breastfeeding women can receive benefits through the WIC program. Specifically, it extends postpartum eligibility from six months to 24 months and extends breastfeeding eligibility from one year to 24 months. The Department of Agriculture will conduct a study to assess the impact of these changes on maternal and infant health, breastfeeding rates, and family experiences within the WIC program.

Key provisions

Extends postpartum WIC eligibility to 24 months.
Extends breastfeeding WIC eligibility to 24 months.
Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress evaluating the impact of these changes.
The report will assess maternal and infant health outcomes, breastfeeding rates, and family experiences.
Defines ‘postpartum’ as the year following the end of pregnancy.

Who is affected

New mothers
Breastfeeding women
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants
Families participating in the WIC program

Notable changes

Increases postpartum and breastfeeding eligibility periods significantly.
Mandates a study to evaluate the program’s impact.

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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Legislative history

2026-03-24House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

2026-03-24

Introduced in House

2026-03-24

Introduced in House

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Mar 24, 2026XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 2d Session

H. R. 8055

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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 periodSection 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 periodSection 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)ReportNot 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.

HR 8055