Millions of low-income mothers in the United States could remain eligible for federal nutrition assistance for substantially longer after giving birth under a Senate proposal introduced as part of the Momnibus Act. The measure would extend eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, to 24 months after delivery for both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers.
The Momnibus Act was introduced in the Senate on August 6 by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and a group of Democratic lawmakers. The wider package addresses maternal health through measures covering nutrition, mental health, veterans’ maternity care, research, data collection and other services. According to Newsweek, the legislation includes a $25 million grant intended to support maternal mental health alongside its proposed WIC expansion.
Proposed WIC Change Would Lengthen Postpartum Eligibility
Under current law, most postpartum women who are not breastfeeding may receive WIC benefits for up to six months after giving birth. The proposal would extend that period to 24 months. Breastfeeding mothers, who can generally remain eligible for one year after delivery, would also be covered for up to 24 months.
WIC provides specific foods and nutrition-related assistance rather than a general grocery allowance. Current benefits for non-breastfeeding postpartum participants include a $48 cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables, 16 quarts of cow’s milk, 36 ounces of breakfast cereal, one dozen eggs and other approved foods. Breastfeeding participants currently receive a $52 fruit and vegetable benefit, 24 quarts of milk, 36 ounces of cereal, two dozen eggs and additional specified foods.
The program also provides breastfeeding assistance, nutrition education, health screenings and referrals to health services. According to Newsweek, the proposed change would allow mothers to continue receiving WIC support through the first two years of a child’s life instead of losing eligibility after six months or one year, depending on breastfeeding status.
The legislation would also direct the secretary of health and human services to report to Congress within two years on the effects of the expansion. That assessment would examine maternal and infant health outcomes, breastfeeding rates, racial and ethnic disparities, and families’ experiences with the program.
Broader Package Focuses on Maternal Health Disparities
The WIC provision forms one part of a wider legislative effort centered on maternal health outcomes in the United States. According to the official Momnibus Act webpage, the legislation is a comprehensive package of 14 individual bills addressing areas including social determinants of health, WIC eligibility, maternal mental health, workforce development, data collection and research.
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, while 80 percent of maternal deaths in the country can be prevented. The caucus also states that more than $253 million in Momnibus-related funding has been enacted through the federal appropriations process since 2023.
Booker framed the Senate proposal around persistent racial disparities in maternal health. “Black mothers in America are dying at rates that are as shocking as they are unacceptable,” he said in a statement reported by Newsweek, adding that Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. The bill currently has 28 co-sponsors, according to the same source. All are Democrats except Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats. The legislation would require Republican support to advance in the Senate.
