WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Josh Harder (D-CA) introduced the Protecting Mothers and Infants’ Access to Milk Act, which will return the maximum monthly allowance of milk available for families, utilizing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to previous levels.
“While I was overseas defending our nation as a Navy SEAL, my wife was using WIC coupons to feed our children because a junior enlisted servicemember’s salary could not support a family,” said Rep. Van Orden. “Milk provides critical nutrients for a child’s development, and I am proud to introduce this bill to restore WIC maximum monthly allowance for milk so families can feed their children and keep them healthy.”
“As a dad and a consumer, it’s absurd to me that the government would choose to limit parents’ ability to buy healthy milk for their kids,” said Rep. Harder. “This bipartisan bill restores families’ choice in the grocery aisle and makes sure that our local dairy farmers can keep our families well-fed.”
Background:
In April 2024, the Biden Administration finalized a rule, “Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages,” which substantially reduced the amount of milk available to WIC families. The final rule, which went into effect on June 17, 2024, will have unintended and significant negative effects on the health of babies, mothers, and families participating in WIC. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, about 90 percent of the U.S. population does not meet dairy consumption recommendations.
Click here for the full bill text.
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