H.R. 5836 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, Oct 28, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps WIC program running during budget gap
This bill makes sure the WIC program—which provides nutrition help to low-income women, infants, and children—keeps operating if there's a lapse in federal funding. It sets aside money for the Department of Agriculture to run the program and reimburses states for any of their own money they spent keeping WIC going during the funding gap. The funds stay available until Congress passes a full budget for the department.
How it affects you
If you or your family receive WIC benefits, this bill helps ensure you keep getting access to nutrition-rich foods, nutrition education, and health referrals without interruption when federal funding gaps happen. States that had to spend their own money to keep the program running during the funding pause would get reimbursed.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Oct 28, 2025)
Keep WIC Working Act
This bill provides appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during any lapse in FY2026 discretionary appropriations for USDA. WIC provides nutrition-rich foods, nutrition education, and health care and social services referrals to eligible low-income women, infants, and children.
The bill also provides appropriations for USDA to reimburse state agencies for any state funds used to carry out operations necessary to maintain participation in WIC during the period that began on September 30, 2025, and ends on the date that this bill is enacted.
The appropriations provided by this bill are available until legislation is enacted that provides FY2026 appropriations for USDA (including continuing appropriations for USDA).
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5836
A BILL
Keep WIC Working Act
Sponsor: Rep. Robert P. Bresnahan (R-PA-8) · Introduced Oct 28, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 28, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.”