WIC Benefits Protection Act

The "WIC Benefits Protection Act" aims to significantly strengthen the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by converting it into a mandatory program. This bill amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to ensure that the WIC program shall be carried out , rather than merely "may be carried out," thereby guaranteeing its operation. A central provision of this legislation is the shift from discretionary to mandatory funding for WIC. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the bill appropriates "such sums as are necessary" from the Treasury to fully fund the program, ensuring that all eligible women, infants, and children receive the nutritional support they need without relying on annual congressional appropriations.