A bipartisan, bicameral bill sponsored on March 30 by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) would streamline access to federal food benefits by allowing individuals to remotely certify their eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as the WIC program.
“The WIC program is a crucial source of nutrition for low-income women, nursing mothers, infants, and children, and one of the most successful and impactful initiatives that the federal government operates,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Streamlining this process will allow more families to receive and utilize benefits and ensure all of our children have a healthy start to life.”
Specifically, the More Options to Develop and Enhance Remote Nutrition in (MODERN) WIC Act of 2023, H.R. 2424, which is cosponsored by U.S Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to permit video or telephone certifications for WIC benefits, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“I am proud to lead this bipartisan, bicameral MODERN WIC Act alongside Rep. Bonamici to provide remote services options for WIC applicants and participants,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
Rep. Bonamici added that the bill would make “common-sense technology updates” to the WIC program so that it will better meet the needs of families and make benefits more accessible.
H.R. 2424 is the companion bill to the same-named S. 984, introduced on March 27 by U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Roger Marshall (R-KS).
The MODERN WIC Act is endorsed by several organizations, including the National WIC Association, the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, the National Association of Counties, and Save the Children, among many others.