WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 9304

Juice Access Improvement Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Kelly and 3 co-sponsors

Makes juice the default WIC benefit for specified packages, with an annual-inflation-adjusted $3 cash-value voucher (CVV) optional on request.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9304

Overview

  • Bill: H.R. 9304
  • Session: 119th Congress, 2nd Session
  • Title: Juice Access Improvement Act
  • Introduced: June 11, 2026 by Rep. T. Thompson (PA) and Rep. D. Soto, with co-sponsors Rep. Michael Kelly and Rep. Darren Soto
  • Jurisdiction: United States House of Representatives; referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
  • Purpose: To require juice to be the default benefit in certain WIC food packages and to provide a cash-value voucher option for juice upon participant request

Main purpose and intent

The bill aims to modify certain WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) food packages so that juice becomes the default benefit. In addition, it would authorize a cash-value voucher (CVV) substitute for juice upon request, with the CVV amount adjusted annually for inflation in line with adjustments to CVVs for other WIC benefits.

Key provisions and changes

  • Default benefit: For covered WIC food packages, state agencies would be required to establish juice as the default benefit.
  • Cash-value voucher option: Participants could request a $3 CVV substitute for juice, with the amount adjusted annually for inflation consistent with the annual inflation adjustments made to CVVs for women and children.
  • Covered food packages: The change applies to specific WIC packages defined in current regulations, including:
    • Food Package IV — Children ages 1 through 4
    • Food Package V — Pregnant and partially breastfeeding women
    • Food Package VI — Postpartum women
    • Food Package VII — Fully breastfeeding women
  • Administration and rulemaking: The Secretary of Agriculture would issue or revise regulations as necessary to implement the act, including revisions to:
    • 7 C.F.R. § 246.10(e)(10) (and related table 2) to reflect the default juice provision and CVV substitution framework
  • Definitions (as used in the bill):
    • Cash-value voucher: Aligns with the existing CVV definition in 7 C.F.R. § 246.2 (as of enactment date)
    • Covered food package: Refers to the specific WIC packages listed (IV, V, VI, VII)
    • Juice: Defined per the current minimum requirements and specifications for supplemental foods in table 4 to 7 C.F.R. § 246.10(e)(12)
    • Secretary: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Potential impact

  • Beneficiaries: WIC participants eligible for the listed food packages (children 1–4, pregnant and partially breastfeeding women, postpartum women, and fully breastfeeding women) would have juice as the default item in their benefits, with the option to switch to a CVV for juice if desired.
  • Program operation: State agencies administering WIC would need to adjust benefit issuance systems to implement the default juice rule and to process CVV substitutions upon participant request.
  • Inflation adjustments: The CVV amount for juice would be adjusted annually to reflect inflation, maintaining parity with adjustments applied to other CVVs.
  • Access considerations: The bill intends to maintain flexibility for participants by preserving a cash-value option, potentially broadening access for families who prefer or require a CVV rather than juice.

Timeline and procedure

  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on June 11, 2026.
  • Implementation: If enacted, regulations would be issued or revised by the Secretary of Agriculture to implement the default juice benefit and CVV substitution, including amendments to relevant CFR provisions (7 C.F.R. Part 246).

Summary

The Juice Access Improvement Act would make juice the default WIC benefit for four major participant groups within designated food packages, while also allowing an annual-adjusted $3 (subject to inflation updates) cash-value voucher as an alternative upon request. The act requires regulatory changes to federal WIC rules to effect these changes and to ensure program compliance at the state agency level.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.