​Earlier this year, both chambers of Congress advanced Labor–Health and Human Services–Education (LHHS) appropriations legislation, setting the stage for negotiations ahead of the new fiscal year. 

In July, the Senate passed its FY26 LHHS bill, maintaining level funding of $9.75 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program and generally supporting maternal and child health investments across agencies. 

Two months later, the House advanced its own LHHS bill, omitting Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding entirely and instead directing $100 million toward a proposed Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative for health promotion and disease prevention. While the House proposal reflects interest in prevention-oriented work, the lack of specificity around how MAHA funds would support breastfeeding introduces uncertainty about implementation timelines, administrative oversight, and program accountability. 

Before these differences could be reconciled, appropriations negotiations broke down, resulting in a partial federal government shutdown on October 1. Federal operations resumed in mid-November following passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR), which temporarily extended funding for most agencies through January 30, 2026. Under a CR, agencies generally operate at prior-year funding levels and are constrained from launching new initiatives or engaging in longer-term planning. 

While the CR restored basic operations, it did not resolve the underlying disagreements shaping FY26 appropriations. For breastfeeding and lactation programs, this has meant continued reliance on carryover funding and deferred decision-making driven by agency constraints, at a moment when clarity and continuity are especially critical for states, communities, and service providers. 

As the federal government reopens following the recent shutdown, I want to pause and honor the weight of what this moment represents for so many across our nation. Shutdowns are not abstract; they are deeply human disruptions. They interrupt essential programs, delay paychecks, pause benefits, and create fear and uncertainty for families who rely on public health systems for their well-being. For breastfeeding families, this can mean delayed access to care, stalled WIC benefits, and fewer supports for birthing and lactating parents navigating already fragile healthcare pathways.

At the United States Breastfeeding Committee, we understand that policy, systems, and environmental change live in the real experiences of people. When programs that fund lactation support, hospital education, or public health initiatives go dark, the consequences do not end when the government reopens; they ripple into long-term disparities. The end of this shutdown restores critical funding streams and reactivates resources that directly shape access to care, workforce stability, and community-based supports.

Yet, this is not a moment to simply exhale and move on. It is a reminder of how dependent our communities are on steady, equitable governance and why sustained advocacy is essential. Across our membership, we saw resilience in action: organizations continuing without federal reimbursements, advocates filling gaps in information and support, and parents helping parents navigate uncertainty. That steadfastness is the heartbeat of our coalition.

As government operations resume, we renew our collective commitment to ensuring that these systems work for everyone. Health care options must be reliable, accessible, and culturally grounded. Federal investments in maternal and child health must not only continue but deepen if we are to address long-standing inequities. Together, we carry forward the lessons of this moment: that our work is both urgent and sacred, and when families are affected, our mission demands both compassion and action.
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Jennifer Day
Executive Director, United States Breastfeeding Committee