Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026. It requires the Secretary of Defense to notify certain members of the Armed Forces about their potential eligibility for the WIC nutrition program when they undergo a permanent change of station. The bill also requires State agencies to issue Verification of Certification cards and treat these service members and their families as presumptively eligible during a move until their certification period expires. Additionally, the legislation requires military installations to be staffed at least three days a week to provide WIC information to service members. These measures are designed to help military families keep their nutrition benefits when they relocate.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
Infants and young children in military families benefit directly from continued access to WIC nutritional support when moving.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Lower-income junior enlisted service members and their families are protected from losing critical nutrition assistance.
- Scored +5
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Junior enlisted service members, who are often younger adults, receive better notification and continuity of nutrition benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Notification of WIC Eligibility: Under section 2(a), the Secretary of Defense must notify certain service members undergoing a permanent change of station about their potential eligibility for WIC. This is positive because it helps ensure that eligible military families are aware of nutrition benefits available to them.
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Verification of Certification Cards: Under section 2(b), State agencies are required to issue Verification of Certification cards to covered members of the armed forces at certification or recertification. This is positive because it gives families a clear record of their certification status.
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Presumptive Eligibility During a Move: Under section 2(b), when a covered service member participates in WIC and undergoes a permanent change of station, State agencies must treat that individual and their family members as presumptively eligible for WIC and provide a card effective until the current certification period expires. This is positive because it prevents families from losing food benefits simply because they moved to a new duty station.
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On-Base WIC Information Offices: Under section 2(c), the Secretary of Defense must ensure that each military installation is staffed at least 3 days per week by appropriate military personnel to provide WIC information. This is positive because it gives service members convenient, local access to help and information regarding these nutrition programs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based on the text of the bill, there are no sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — Infants and young children in military families benefit directly from continued access to WIC nutritional support when moving. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Lower-income junior enlisted service members and their families are protected from losing critical nutrition assistance. Would women be better off under this? — Pregnant service members and spouses receive guaranteed continuity of WIC benefits and better eligibility notifications. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Junior enlisted service members, who are often younger adults, receive better notification and continuity of nutrition benefits. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Active duty service members transitioning through their military careers receive enhanced support that aids overall military family welfare. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Military families in older age brackets with young children or pregnant spouses benefit from streamlined WIC transfers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Some middle-income military families qualifying for WIC benefit from administrative continuity during relocations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill supports members of the Armed Forces by facilitating access to WIC nutrition programs during permanent changes of station.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill ensures continuity of nutrition benefits for military families during relocations, helping to reduce food insecurity.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada