This story was last updated on May 14, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the House Appropriations Committee passed its FY27 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill by a 35-25 vote. The bill proposes significant cuts to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), including a reduction in the vegetable and fruit benefit and harmful riders that undermine WIC’s nutrition standards.
Overall, the bill funds WIC at $8 billion, a reduction of $200 million. According to the National WIC Association, this funding level may fall short of WIC’s projected need, especially in the face of rising food costs. If WIC is unable to sustain caseloads, the program may need to enforce waitlists for the first time in nearly three decades.
Congressional proposals to cut WIC and reduce the CVB threaten access to nutritious foods for infants, toddlers and pregnant parents. NCIT Co-Chair Lisa Matter joined nutrition and advocacy partners in urging Congress to fully fund WIC, maintain the CVB and protect science-based nutrition standards that help children build healthy eating habits early in life.
Additionally, the House bill effectively reduces WIC’s Cash Value Benefit (CVB), which allows participants to purchase healthy vegetables and fruit, by 10%.
In a statement with other nutrition and advocacy partners, National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT) Co-Chair, Lisa Matter, shared the following on the CVB:
“WIC ensures infants, toddlers, and pregnant parents can access the nutritious foods needed to support healthy development and well-being. WIC’s science-based food package and Cash Value Benefit (CVB)—which provides extra resources for vegetables and fruits—are critical investments in babies, children, and parents. Cutting these programs puts children at greater risk for developmental delays and chronic disease. Given that infants and toddlers develop taste preferences early in life, the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers urges Congress to fully fund WIC and maintain the CVB to set children on a path toward lifelong healthy eating.”
Beyond WIC cuts, the House bill also contains harmful riders that override USDA’s science-backed nutrition standards for the WIC food package. These standards are carefully designed to meet the needs of pregnant people, infants, and young children, and Congress should not weaken them.
Lastly, the bill excludes any provisions that would modernize WIC’s physical presence requirements. With virtual service options expiring as early as September 30, 2026, Congress should make virtual certifications and health screenings permanent so families can continue participating in WIC without barriers like arranging child care, transportation, or time away from work.
WIC is instrumental in supporting healthy pregnancies and building a foundation for infants and toddlers to grow and thrive. As the appropriations process continues, NCIT urges the Senate to fully fund WIC, keep the CVB intact, and reject any riders that undermine the science-based food package.
Branden Reis is an Associate Government Relations Manager for Voices for Healthy Kids and the Federal Advocacy team at the American Heart Association, where he advances prenatal-to-three policy priorities and represents the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers at key federal advocacy tables. He holds degrees in Political Science, Economics and Public Administration, and brings expertise in advocacy, coalition-building and public policy analysis to his work supporting children and families nationwide.
