Bill Summary
The proposed legislation aims to ensure that State agencies can be reimbursed by the Federal Government for any State funds they use to maintain operations for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a government shutdown. Specifically, if there is a lapse in discretionary appropriations that affects the funding of WIC, States can utilize their own funds to continue providing essential services to participants. Once the government reopens, these State agencies can seek reimbursement for the expenses incurred during the shutdown. This measure is designed to protect vulnerable populations reliant on WIC by ensuring uninterrupted access to nutrition assistance despite potential federal funding interruptions.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation regarding the reimbursement of state funds used to maintain participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a government shutdown could affect people:
1. **Continued Access to Nutrition Support**: If a government shutdown occurs, state agencies can utilize their own funds to keep WIC operations running, ensuring that women, infants, and children continue to receive essential nutritional support. This means that vulnerable populations will not face immediate disruptions in accessing healthy food options, thereby helping to maintain their health and wellbeing during uncertain times.
2. **Financial Relief for State Agencies**: By allowing state agencies to be reimbursed for the funds they expend to keep WIC programs operational during a shutdown, the legislation alleviates financial pressure on those agencies. This can help prevent potential budget cuts or scaling back of other essential state services, ensuring that the overall support network for families remains intact and robust.
3. **Increased Confidence in Program Stability**: Knowing that there is a mechanism for reimbursement during government shutdowns may instill greater confidence among beneficiaries and state agencies alike in the stability of the WIC program. This can encourage more families to participate in the program without fear of losing access to vital resources, thereby promoting better health outcomes for mothers and children who rely on the program.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5705 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5705
To authorize the reimbursement by the Federal Government of State funds
used to maintain participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children in the event of a Government
shutdown.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 8, 2025
Mr. Amo (for himself, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms.
Barragan, Ms. Norton, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Elfreth, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Landsman,
Mr. Walkinshaw, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Rivas, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms.
McClellan, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Vargas, Mr.
Figures, Ms. Pettersen, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mrs. Hayes, Mr.
Nadler, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Brown, Mr. Thanedar, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania,
Ms. Sewell, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin,
Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Ross, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Goodlander, Mr.
Thompson of California, Mr. Carson, Ms. Adams, Mr. Conaway, Ms. Garcia
of Texas, Mr. Torres of New York, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Auchincloss, Mr.
Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Magaziner, Ms. McBride, Ms. Tokuda, Mr.
Pappas, Mr. Panetta, and Mr. Bell) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the reimbursement by the Federal Government of State funds
used to maintain participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children in the event of a Government
shutdown.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REIMBURSEMENT OF STATE FUNDS USED FOR WIC DURING LAPSE IN
APPROPRIATIONS.
During any period of a lapse in discretionary appropriations, in
the case of a State agency that uses State funds to carry out
operations necessary to maintain participation in the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
established under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42
U.S.C. 1786), such State agency shall, after the conclusion of such
period, be eligible for reimbursement of such funds by the Federal
Government.
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