Congressmen Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Josh Harder (D-CA) have introduced the Protecting Mothers and Infants’ Access to Milk Act. This bill aims to restore the maximum monthly milk allowance for families using the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Rep. Van Orden emphasized the bill’s importance, recalling his family’s reliance on WIC while he served as a Navy SEAL. He stated that milk provides essential nutrients for child development and that restoring the WIC allowance will help families keep their children healthy.
Rep. Harder also voiced support, calling it unacceptable for the government to limit parents’ ability to buy milk for their kids. He highlighted that this bipartisan bill protects families’ choices and supports local dairy farmers.
In April 2024, the Biden Administration finalized a rule reducing the milk available to WIC families. This change, which took effect on June 17, 2024, has raised concerns about its impact on the health of mothers, infants, and children. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 90% of the U.S. population does not meet recommended dairy intake.
This bill seeks to reverse those cuts, ensuring families have access to the nutrition they need.
