Deciding not to continue their Scrooge-like ways and keep food out of the mouths of hungry kids, House Republicans acquiesced today. Some of them even voted to pass the child nutrition bill. It passed, 264-157.
The bill gives the secretary of agriculture authority to establish nutrition standards for foods sold in schools during the school day, including items in vending machines. The standards would require schools to serve more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
In addition, for the first time in more than three decades, the bill would increase federal reimbursement for school lunches beyond adjustments for inflation — to help cover the cost of higher-quality meals. It would also allow more than 100,000 children on Medicaid to qualify automatically for free school meals, without filing paper applications.
It means more kids who otherwise might have to do without get to eat lunch, a critical factor with unemployment checks drying up for many families. It also means those lunches will be healthier. First Lady Michelle Obama, a driving force behind the bill, made this statement after the bill passed.
I am so thrilled that the House of Representatives has passed “The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” – a groundbreaking piece of bipartisan legislation that will significantly improve the quality of meals that children receive at school and will play an integral role in our efforts to combat childhood obesity. I particularly want to commend Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, Chairman Miller, and Chairwoman DeLauro for their leadership in ensuring passage of the bill in the House, and I am grateful to all the Senators and House Members who worked so hard in recent months to make this critically important legislation a reality.
Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of speaking with parents, educators, governors and mayors, medical professionals, community and business leaders, and students all across the country – all of whom are determined to ensure that our children have access to the nutritious food they need to learn and grow and fulfill their potential. I’m proud of what we’re doing to support these efforts through our Let’s Move! initiative, and I am confident that, together, we can turn the tide on childhood obesity and give all our children the happy, healthy lives they deserve.