Juice for Healthy Families Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9305
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-03T08:06:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9305: Juice for Healthy Families Act of 2026
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to establish fixed maximum monthly allowances for single-strength juice under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Key Provisions
- Adds a new subsection (t) to Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786).
- Sets the maximum monthly allowance of single-strength juice at 128 fluid ounces for the following WIC food packages, as defined in 7 CFR 246.10(e):
- Food Package IV
- Food Package V
- Food Package VI
- Food Package VII
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Codifies specific juice allowance limits directly into statute.
- Shifts authority over these maximum amounts from regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to congressional legislation, reducing the flexibility of the administering agency to adjust them administratively.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state WIC agencies to align benefit issuance with the new statutory limits, potentially affecting program planning and vendor contracts.
- On citizens: May limit the quantity of juice available to eligible WIC participants (pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children), influencing their dietary options under the program.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- WIC-eligible women, infants, and children who receive nutrition benefits.
- Federal and state agencies that administer and fund the WIC program.
- Healthcare providers, nutritionists, and local clinics involved in WIC enrollment and counseling.
- Food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that supply WIC-approved juices.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Establishes a statutory floor on program benefits through legislation rather than regulation, which could limit future administrative adjustments without new congressional action.
- Falls within Congress's authority over federal spending and nutrition assistance programs, with no apparent constitutional conflicts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Juice for Healthy Families Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (2 pages)