I look at just my largest city, which is the city of Cleveland; 54 percent of all the kids there live in poverty.

But what solutions should this committee consider to ensure that programs like summer meals are flexible enough to serve kids in need?

Clearly there is one thing we agree on, and that is that the Fair Labor Standards Act is outdated and is in need of updating.

We are here at the same place we were before talking about states' rights.

Thank you very much.

Just wanted to make sure about that.

We want to ignore established law, we want to once again put states in a position to make a determination.

Let's not talk about the past. Let's deal with established law.

I just want to say to the letter carriers who are here, I appreciate what you do every day.

As we listen to the witnesses this morning, let's not forget the big picture...there are hungry children in America.

I agree that it is important to feed hungry children.

Every federal dollar should be spent appropriately, and we should be concerned about correcting any and all errors.

I must say I am disheartened with the title of this hearing, 'Addressing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Federal Child Nutrition Programs.'

We create a narrative that is stereotypical, that is unfair and inaccurate.

I appreciate the fact that you are working very hard to make sure that the taxpayers' money is spent appropriately.

I believe that those who break the law should be punished.

I am here today to talk about the policy failures of this body. Mr. Speaker, when we look at Baltimore, let me tell you why it is not a shock to me. It is because when you disinvest in education, when you provide no places for kids to play…

The poor condition of school buildings affects the health and safety of students.

Congress, as the trustees of these young Native American kids, needs to bring an awareness to this funding disparity.

Certainly I hope that the Committee on Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Interior, will take up this issue.

But I would argue that some of it is just that the Congress doesn't give the funding to the Department of Interior it should.

I certainly do hope that we will be doing that, Mr. Chairman.

American Indian students need and deserve better.

It is clear the Federal Government has failed to meet its obligation to deliver quality education services.

The need is too urgent for us to do nothing.