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119-hr-5836119th CongressWALLET

Keep WIC Working Act

Sponsored By: Representative Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

Introduced

Summary

Provides temporary, lapse-contingent funding to keep WIC operating. This bill would let the Agriculture Secretary tap unobligated Treasury funds to maintain the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a lapse in FY2026 discretionary USDA appropriations. It would also require that those funds include reimbursements to State agencies for state money spent to sustain participation beginning September 30, 2025 through the date of enactment.

Show full summary
  • Families and participants: WIC clients would continue receiving nutrition benefits without interruption during a FY2026 USDA funding lapse.
  • State agencies: States would get retroactive reimbursement for funds they used to keep people enrolled from Sept 30, 2025 until this authority is enacted.
  • USDA operations: The Agriculture Secretary would be allowed to use unobligated Treasury funds, as needed, until FY2026 Agriculture appropriations or a continuing resolution are enacted.
  • Program rules: The bill focuses on continuity funding and retroactive reimbursement while keeping current WIC eligibility, benefit formulas, and program structure intact.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Keep WIC benefits running during shutdown

This bill would keep WIC benefits and clinics running if USDA funding lapses in fiscal year 2026. USDA could use Treasury funds, as needed, to operate WIC during the lapse. This authority would end once FY2026 USDA appropriations are enacted, including a continuing resolution. States would be repaid for state dollars used to keep WIC going from September 30, 2025 until this section is enacted. It would not change who qualifies for WIC or benefit amounts.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

PA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 10/31/2025

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 10/31/2025

  • Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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