Automatically funds WIC from the Treasury during a USDA appropriations lapse in fiscal year 2026. Pays states back for certain WIC costs they covered starting September 30, 2025. Stops once USDA gets regular or continuing FY2026 funding.
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Keep WIC Working Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
Latest action on H.R. 5836: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
Who this affects: This mainly affects people who rely on WIC and the agencies and businesses that make the program work. The bill is designed to keep WIC benefits and services going during a USDA funding lapse in fiscal year 2026, and to repay states that used state money to avoid disruptions during an earlier gap.
Why this matters: When the federal government shuts down and USDA’s discretionary funding lapses, WIC funding can be delayed or run out, which can disrupt benefits and services. This bill tries to prevent that disruption in fiscal year 2026 by creating an automatic funding bridge from the Treasury, so WIC can keep operating until Congress passes regular appropriations or a continuing resolution for USDA. It also changes the shutdown playbook for states by allowing federal reimbursement for certain state dollars used to keep WIC going during a gap starting September 30, 2025. The overall cost impact is not specified here and would depend on how long any lapse lasts and how many people are served.
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