I'm working to make permanent changes to improve WIC... The bipartisan MODERN WIC bill will allow eligible families to apply or renew benefits in more convenient ways, including phone, videoconference, online, or by mail, instead of solely through in-person visits. And new funding will help local WIC offices upgrade their technology to accommodate these changes.
Make permanent changes to improve WIC so eligible families can apply or renew benefits by phone, videoconference, online, or mail, and local WIC offices can receive funding to upgrade their technology.
Occurrences
Evidence
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Congress.gov lists H.R.1464 as sponsored by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and introduced with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici on February 21, 2025. The latest action is referral to the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and the bill status remains Introduced, not passed or enacted.
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USDA FNS says ARPA gave time-limited waiver authority for WIC modernization; waivers allowed state agencies to optimize virtual services and improve online shopping and mobile pay projects. FNS states its new ARPA waiver authority ended September 30, 2024, and most waivers remain in effect until September 30, 2026, or until evaluation efforts end.
Assessments
The promised permanent WIC changes have not been enacted. USDA implemented remote WIC certification/issuance and modernization projects through ARPA waiver authority and related funding, but that authority was time-limited and most waivers run only through September 30, 2026 or evaluation end. Bonamici materially pursued the permanent version by cosponsoring H.R.1464, the MODERN WIC Act of 2025, which would permit video or telephone WIC certifications, but Congress.gov still shows it only introduced and referred to committee. This supports partial credit for temporary implementation and serious effort, not full delivery of permanent changes.