Legislation Search

H.R. 5705: To authorize the reimbursement by the Federal Government of State funds used to maintain participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in the event of a Government shutdown.

This bill proposes that if there is a government shutdown that results in a lapse of discretionary appropriations, state agencies that use their own funds to continue operating the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will be able to receive reimbursement from the federal government for those expenses. WIC is a program that provides assistance to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children by supplying food, nutritional education, and health care referrals.

Key Features of the Bill

Eligibility for Reimbursement: State agencies that utilize state funds to maintain WIC operations during a government shutdown can seek reimbursement from the federal government after the shutdown period ends.
Impact of Government Shutdown: The bill directly addresses the concerns surrounding how states can continue to support WIC without interruption, even when federal funding is not available due to a shutdown.
Support for Vulnerable Populations: The primary aim of the bill is to ensure that vital nutrition and support services remain available for women, infants, and children during uncertain funding periods.

Context

The WIC program is crucial for many families in need, providing them with food assistance and resources to ensure the health of mothers and their children. When there is a government shutdown, federal funding for such programs typically halts, putting additional strain on state resources. This bill seeks to mitigate those effects by allowing states to be reimbursed for their expenditures.

Operational Mechanics

The bill applies specifically during times when the federal government experiences a lapse in funding.
It incentivizes states to continue providing services by promising federal reimbursement for costs incurred during such lapses.