On the recordJune 14, 2022
Mr. Speaker, when the pandemic closed schools and left millions of children without meals they needed, our government took action. Emergency waivers eliminated income caps and gave meal providers flexibility in delivering food. Even now, with schools reopened, these waivers are getting healthy meals to children without burying families under mountains of paperwork, but these provisions are set to expire on June 30. As 97 percent of meal providers like schools struggle to pay soaring food prices, these protections should be strengthened, not stopped. This year, California became the first State to provide free meals to any student. Offering no-cost meals to everyone, regardless of income, helps resources reach the kids who need them most. This will also help California's kids in schools perform better. Free meals contribute to better attendance, fewer nurse visits, and higher test scores. California's universal meal program will benefit schools and families. The Nation should follow our example. Taking Action on Climate Change
