WC Wisconsin News

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Josh Harder (D-CA) introduced the Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act to 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.

In April 2024, the Biden Administration finalized a rule titled “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, is expected to 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.

“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 Congressman Van Orden. “Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that are critical for a child’s growth and development, and for USDA to decrease the monthly allowance for milk is unprincipled. We must ensure women, infants, and children are fed and healthy, which is why I am proud to join Rep. Stefanik in introducing this legislation to restore the WIC maximum monthly allowances for milk, which should have never been cut in the first place.”

“I am proud to lead the bipartisan Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act to counter Joe Biden’s restrictions on WIC families’ access to nutritional milk and dairy products,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “Families are already struggling with skyrocketing prices at the grocery store, and this new rule would limit their access to healthy milk our dairy farmers in Upstate New York and the North Country work hard to provide for our communities.”

"The WIC program helps mothers and young children have access to key nutrients they otherwise may lack. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are three of the five top redeemed items through WIC. They also provide three of the four nutrients of public health concern identified in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We commend Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Josh Harder (D-CA), and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) for their Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act to prevent any cuts to the dairy allotments in the WIC packages. This bill supports the program’s goal of ensuring all Americans have consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable foods,” said President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation Gregg Doud.

Read the full text of the bill here.