Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, along with Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA) and Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) introduced legislation, the Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act to return the maximum monthly allowance of milk available for families, utilizing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to previous levels.
In April 2024, the Biden Administration finalized a rule, “Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages,” which substantially reduced the amount of milk available to WIC families. The final rule, which went into effect on June 17, 2024, will have unintended and significant negative effects on the health of babies, mothers, and families participating in WIC. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, about 90 percent of the U.S. population does not meet dairy consumption recommendations.
“I am proud to lead the bipartisan Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act to counter Joe Biden’s restrictions on WIC families’ access to nutritional milk and dairy products,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “Families are already struggling with skyrocketing prices at the grocery store, and this new rule would limit their access to healthy milk our dairy farmers in Upstate New York and the North Country work hard to provide for our communities.”
“While I was overseas defending our nation as a Navy SEAL, my wife was using WIC coupons to feed our children because a junior enlisted servicemember’s salary could not support a family. Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that are critical for a child’s growth and development, and for USDA to decrease the monthly allowance for milk is unprincipled. We must ensure women, infants, and children are fed and healthy, which is why I am proud to join Rep. Stefanik in introducing this legislation to restore the WIC maximum monthly allowances for milk, which should have never been cut in the first place,” said Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03).
"The WIC program helps mothers and young children have access to key nutrients they otherwise may lack. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are three of the five top redeemed items through WIC. They also provide three of the four nutrients of public health concern identified in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We commend Representatives Elise Stefanik, R-NY, Josh Harder, D-CA, and Derrick Van Orden, R-WI, for their Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act to prevent any cuts to the dairy allotments in the WIC packages. This bill supports the program’s goal of ensuring all Americans have consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable foods,” said President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation Gregg Doud.
“The Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives, representing over 800 dairy farm families in New York and New England, who have a century-plus legacy of commitment to providing fresh, high-quality milk and award-winning dairy products, applaud Rep. Stefanik’s prodigious work on behalf of our producers and industry in authoring timely legislation to expand and increase the utilization of milk in the vital Women, Infants, Children (WIC) program,” said the Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives.
Northeast Dairy Producers Association Chair Keith Kimball said, “Real dairy milk and other dairy foods are important sources of protein, vitamins and minerals that are proven to benefit people of all ages. With thirteen essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D, milk is a nutrient-dense beverage produced by family dairy farms across the Empire State. NEDPA fully supports consumer choice and efforts to ensure all New Yorkers have equitable access to nutritious dairy products.”
Read the full text of the bill here.
In March 2023, Stefanik led a bipartisan letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack calling on him to oppose the proposed rule that limits WIC families' access to nutritious milk. After the Biden Administration finalized the rule in April 2024, Stefanik released a statement opposing the cuts to milk in WIC. In May 2024, Stefanik and Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) demanded answers from USDA on why they didn’t follow a Congressional directive to not reduce the maximum monthly allowance of milk in WIC.
