S. 4191 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 25, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExtends WIC support for mothers and babies
This bill expands how long new mothers can receive WIC benefits, which provide nutrition support through the federal government. Breastfeeding mothers could get help for up to 2 years after giving birth instead of the current 1 year. Women who recently had a pregnancy, whether or not they're breastfeeding, could get assistance for up to 2 years instead of 6 months. The Department of Agriculture would then report back to Congress about how these longer periods affect mothers' and babies' health.
How it affects you
If you're a new mother who receives or qualifies for WIC benefits, this change means you could get nutrition assistance for longer after having a baby. The extension would give mothers and their families more time to access food support during the early months and years of parenthood.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 25, 2026)
Extending WIC for New Moms Act
This bill extends the eligibility periods for breastfeeding and postpartum women under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Specifically, a state program may elect to certify a breastfeeding woman for up to 24 months (currently 1 year) postpartum. The bill also expands the eligibility period for postpartum women to up to 24 months after termination of pregnancy (currently 6 months).
The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress evaluating the effect of these changes to the WIC program on (1) maternal and infant health outcomes, (2) breastfeeding rates, and (3) qualitative evaluations of family experiences under WIC.
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.
2nd SessionS. 4191
A BILL
Extending WIC for New Moms Act
Sponsor: Sen. Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD) · Introduced Mar 25, 2026 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 25, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.”