Capital District Times

Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at countering the Biden Administration's rule limiting access to milk under the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. As reported by Breitbart, the Protecting Mothers and Infants' Access to Milk Act seeks to address concerns over nutritional dairy products availability for WIC beneficiaries.

House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) stated in a written statement, "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." She highlighted that many families are already grappling with high grocery prices, and this new rule would further restrict their access to healthy dairy products provided by local farmers.

Reps. Josh Harder (D-CA) and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) have cosponsored the legislation. In April, the Biden administration finalized changes to the WIC food packages that significantly reduced the amount of milk available to WIC families. According to Stefanik’s office, this could adversely affect women, babies, and families who rely on WIC support as 90 percent of Americans do not meet their recommended dairy consumption levels.

Stefanik has previously addressed her concerns through a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and sought explanations for why the department did not adhere to congressional directives regarding milk allowances in WIC.

Organizations representing the dairy industry have expressed strong support for Stefanik's bill. Gregg Doud, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation, said: “The WIC program helps mothers and young children have access to key nutrients they otherwise may lack... We commend Representatives Elise Stefanik, R-NY, Josh Harder, D-CA, and Derrick Van Orden, R-WI.”

The Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives also praised Rep. Stefanik’s efforts. “The Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives... applaud Rep. Stefanik’s prodigious work on behalf of our producers,” they stated.

Northeast Dairy Producers Association Chair Keith Kimball emphasized the importance of dairy products in nutrition: “Real dairy milk and other dairy foods are important sources of protein... NEDPA fully supports consumer choice and efforts to ensure all New Yorkers have equitable access to nutritious dairy products.”

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