Blake Moore: “I thank the gentleman for recognizing me. I am really pleased to join the Ranking Member, Bobby Scott, a mentor of mine…”

“I thank the gentleman for recognizing me. I am really pleased to join the Ranking Member, Bobby Scott, a mentor of mine and a good friend, Marcia Fudge, and others about the reauthorization of school meals and the WIC program. They are truly champions for ending hunger among children in this country. And I believe no conversation could occur about hunger without having the indomitable Mr. McGovern with us this evening. Mr. Speaker, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization is really a critical opportunity for us to talk about the importance of improving access to healthy meals in schools and for maintaining strong nutrition standards. For too many kids, Mr. Speaker, the only sure meals that they can count on on any given day are provided in school. Yet, Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the majority on the other side of the aisle are talking about how to make it harder for children, especially low-income children who are eligible for free and reduced- price meals, breakfast and lunch, to access these programs. We should be using this reauthorization to address known gaps and to help children connect to these healthy meals. Nearly 10,000 more schools offer school lunch than offer school breakfast programs, and we should be trying to expand school breakfast rather than restricting them. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Act in the nationwide implementation of the community eligibility program was so insightful. But, yet, we need to do more.…”