HR5705-119

What This Bill Does

This bill protects the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children during a federal shutdown. If discretionary appropriations lapse and a state agency uses state funds to keep WIC operations running so participation can be maintained, the state agency becomes eligible for federal reimbursement after the shutdown period ends. The bill does not create a new nutrition benefit level; it creates a reimbursement backstop so states have a clearer reason to bridge WIC operations with their own money rather than interrupting services for pregnant women, infants, young children, and participating families.

Who Benefits and How

State WIC agencies benefit because they can be reimbursed after using state funds to maintain program participation during a shutdown. Pregnant women receiving WIC benefit from reduced risk that nutrition assistance stops during an appropriations lapse. Infants and young children receiving WIC benefit because state bridge funding can keep food benefits and clinic operations available. WIC vendors benefit if state agencies keep participation active and benefit redemption continues during a shutdown.

Who Bears the Burden and How

USDA Food and Nutrition Service staff must determine and process reimbursements after a lapse ends. State budget officials must decide whether to front state funds during a shutdown before federal reimbursement arrives. State WIC finance staff must document state spending used to maintain participation. Federal taxpayers bear reimbursement costs for eligible state-funded WIC operations.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes federal reimbursement of state funds used for WIC during discretionary appropriations lapses.
• Requires the state spending to maintain participation in the WIC program.
• Provides reimbursement eligibility after the shutdown period concludes.
• Protects WIC continuity without changing underlying benefit formulas.