This bill ensures the WIC program continues to operate without interruption during any potential funding lapse in fiscal year 2026 by providing automatic funding from the Treasury and retroactively reimbursing states.
Robert Bresnahan
Representative
PA-8
The Keep WIC Working Act ensures the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continues uninterrupted during any potential funding lapse in fiscal year 2026. This bill authorizes automatic funding from the Treasury to maintain program operations if regular appropriations are delayed. It also retroactively reimburses states for any funds they used to keep WIC running during the lapse period.
Keep WIC Working Act Creates Automatic Funding Safety Net for Nutrition Benefits During FY 2026 Government Shutdowns
The Keep WIC Working Act (Sec. 1) is short, sweet, and focused on one critical thing: making sure the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program doesn’t stop if Congress fails to pass an appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture in fiscal year 2026.
The Automatic Safety Net
This bill establishes a financial safety net for WIC. If the Department of Agriculture experiences a lapse in discretionary funding during FY 2026, the necessary funds to keep WIC running will be automatically drawn from the Treasury (Sec. 2). Think of it as an emergency reserve parachute specifically designed for WIC—it deploys the moment the regular funding rope snaps. This is a big deal for program continuity, ensuring that low-income women, infants, and children continue to receive benefits like healthy food, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals, even if the government shuts down.
State Agencies Get Paid Back
One of the biggest headaches during past funding lapses is that states often have to use their own money to bridge the gap, hoping (and often waiting) for federal reimbursement. This Act addresses that directly. It mandates that any State agency that uses its own funds to maintain WIC operations between September 30, 2025, and the date this law is enacted will be retroactively reimbursed (Sec. 2). For a state administrator, this is a massive relief, encouraging them to keep the lights on and benefits flowing without fear of being left holding the bill. It helps ensure that a mother trying to buy formula or fresh produce won't find her WIC card declined just because of a budget fight in Washington.
The Catch and the Off-Ramp
This automatic funding mechanism isn't permanent, which is important for maintaining the normal appropriations process. The special funding draw from the Treasury stops the moment Congress passes and enacts the regular appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for FY 2026 (Sec. 2). Essentially, the emergency parachute is only deployed until the regular plane lands safely. While this is a clear benefit for WIC recipients, it does create a temporary mechanism that bypasses the normal checks and balances of the appropriations process, using Treasury funds automatically. For taxpayers, this is the cost of ensuring vulnerable populations aren't used as leverage in budget negotiations.
Real-World Impact
For the millions of families relying on WIC, this bill means stability. If you’re a parent juggling work and childcare, the last thing you need is the stress of wondering if you’ll be able to afford groceries because Congress is arguing over a budget. This Act removes that specific anxiety for FY 2026. It ensures that the operational side—the people who process the benefits and run the clinics—can keep working without interruption, providing essential services when families need them most.