Duckworth, Durbin Join Alsobrooks in Introducing Legislation Extending WIC for New Moms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in introducing the Extending WIC for New Moms Act, a bicameral bill to expand eligibility and support mothers and infants into the postpartum and breastfeeding periods through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs. This legislation extends WIC eligibility in the postpartum period from 6 months to 24 months and in the breastfeeding period from 12 months to 24 months. U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) is introducing this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to Duckworth, Durbin, Alsobrooks and Blumenthal, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).

“We should be doing everything we can to ensure families have what they need to keep their babies fed and healthy—instead, Donald Trump is focused on building a ballroom for his billionaire buddies and starting the kind of taxpayer-funded forever wars he promised to get us out of while American families struggle,” said Duckworth. “Extending WIC eligibility during the critical postpartum and breastfeeding months is a simple way to ensure moms and babies get the nutrition they need to thrive. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to support young families through the often overwhelming moments of becoming a new parent.”

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“Access to nutritious food in the earliest stages of life is essential to a child’s health and development. WIC is a proven lifeline for families, but we must do more to support mothers beyond their first few months after childbirth. Extending WIC eligibility—for both breast-feeding and formula-fed babies—is a commonsense step to improve maternal health and give every child a stronger start,” said Durbin. “I’m cosponsoring the Extending WIC for New Moms Act to provide more comprehensive health care for mothers and their babies, improving their health outcomes across the United States.”

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a critical federal program to provide supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum people, as well as infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.

Data on WIC’s effectiveness show the benefits of the program for moms and babies: pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding WIC participants have lower likelihoods of pregnancy-related risk factors, lower risk of preterm birth, and lower risk of low-birthweight infants. Maternal WIC participation is also associated with reductions in infant mortality and improved nutrition and health outcomes for infants and children. By extending eligibility for WIC in the postpartum and breastfeeding periods,the Extending WIC for New Moms Act will make sure the nutritional needs of moms and babies are met, improving maternal and child health outcomes and advancing birth equity across the United States.

The full text of the bill is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

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