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119-hr-10794119th CongressWALLET
Improving Access to WIC Act
Sponsored By: Representative Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Introduced
Summary
improve access to WIC. This bill would create a voluntary federal grant program to pay states for outreach, secure data-sharing with healthcare providers, and simpler online enrollment to boost participation and retention in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
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- Families and children: More outreach and easier enrollment pathways, including direct referrals from health providers and targeted outreach to Head Start, preschools, and SNAP households, to help eligible women and children join or stay in WIC.
- State agencies: States could opt in by applying for grants. Participating states would receive at least $200,000 per year to start and additional funds based on their share of WIC participants.
- Healthcare providers: Providers could securely refer patients to WIC and, with consent, transmit clinical measures like height, weight, and hemoglobin to speed certification.
- Program rules and oversight: The Secretary of Agriculture could reserve up to 5 percent of funds for administration and must publish an outcomes report and best practices annually. Funding is authorized at $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
*This bill would authorize $50 million per year for 2027–2031, increasing federal spending by that amount.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Data sharing and outreach for WIC
If enacted, grant funds would pay for outreach, referrals, and improved enrollment for WIC. Activities would include direct referrals from health care providers, Head Start, preschools, and statewide referral systems. With an individual's consent, providers could share read-only clinical data and send height, weight, hemoglobin, and other documentation to help certify people for WIC. Data collected would be used only to certify or keep people in WIC or to carry out these activities and would follow federal WIC confidentiality rules.
New grants and funding for WIC access
If enacted, the bill would create a grant program to improve access to WIC. It would authorize $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The Agriculture Secretary could reserve up to 5% for administrative costs and must start the program within one year after funds are available. Participating states would need to apply to opt in and would get at least $200,000 when practicable plus a share based on their number of WIC participants.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]
TX • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
AZ • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]
MD • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]
MN • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
ME • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]
TX • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 10/13/2026
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/13/2026
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/13/2026
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov