Sens. Marshall and Gillibrand Applaud USDA for Implementing WIC Healthy Beginnings Act

(Washington, D.C., July 20, 2022) – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intent to implement the WIC Healthy Beginnings Act (S.3216). Introduced last year, the bipartisan legislation would encourage competition, reduce costs, and improve the quality of infant formula options available through state Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs with an online database.

“Earlier this Congress, we brought our legislation to the USDA requesting feedback, and they provided input for us to consider. We are pleased that the USDA recognizes the value of our legislation and that they are planning to implement our bill through their regulatory process. This commonsense proposal will increase transparency and competition for state WIC agency infant formula programs. And we will continue to prioritize advancing our legislation to ensure this dedicated webpage is maintained by current and future administrations.”

The legislation is endorsed by the National WIC Association, the Infant Nutrition Council of America, the National Milk Producers Federation, and March of Dimes. U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA), Lisa McClain (R-MI), Andy Levin (D-MI), and Mariannette Miller Meeks (R-IA) introduced companion legislation in April.  

To learn more about the WIC Healthy Beginnings Act, you may click HERE.

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