Sen. Alsobrooks Introduces the Extending WIC for New Moms Act to Double Benefit Duration
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being sent to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for review. It is considered active, but there are no upcoming votes or hearings scheduled at this time. The bill is waiting for the committee to decide if it should move forward.
While WIC is a popular program, this bill currently only has support from one party and would significantly increase federal spending, making it difficult to pass without bipartisan backing.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
New mothers currently lose WIC food assistance and nutrition counseling either 6 months (non-breastfeeding) or 1 year (breastfeeding) after giving birth. This bill would extend both timelines to 24 months, giving postpartum women up to 18 additional months of food support, nutrition education, and breastfeeding counseling during a period when many families face financial strain.
“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''.”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
In an interview with Politico Pro, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) discussed her legislative push for the 'Extending WIC for New Moms Act.' The bill aims to expand nutritional support for mothers up to two years postpartum, a move she describes as critical for improving maternal health outcomes.
Rep. Valerie Foushee is highlighting her support for the Extending WIC for New Moms Act as part of her 2026 reelection platform. The bill would double the duration of WIC benefits for postpartum and breastfeeding mothers to two years, aiming to close racial and ethnic health gaps.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Extending WIC for New Moms Act
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