Congressional Record, June 23, 2022 — House

Summary

This is H5837 of the Congressional Record, House, June 23, 2022, under the heading Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022. Mr. Scott of Virginia moves to suspend the rules and pass S. 2089, a bill about State veterans' cemeteries, as amended, and the text of the bill as amended is the Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022. Section 2 provides support for child nutrition programs, including temporary lunch reimbursement and treatment of tier II family or group day care homes as tier I for the school year beginning July 2022. Section 4, Rescissions and Sunset, permanently rescinds $1,000,000,000 of unobligated balances made available to the Department of Agriculture in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and $400,000,000 from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and provides that nationwide waiver authority expires.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Cite this document

“Congressional Record, June 23, 2022 — House.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-06-23-crec-2022-06-23-pt1-pgh5837-e6a22f4006/, SHA-256 eb00ebd7bb4bfdf7c8d736add564bdd0e58c03a9dff1e0a9674b101a38a39220.

Full text

June 23, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5837
KEEP KIDS FED ACT OF 2022 (2) in subsection (d)— (b) TIER DETERMINATIONS FOR 2022–2023
(A) by striking paragraph (2); and SCHOOL YEAR.—For the school year begin-
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam (B) by striking ‘‘the following:’’ in the ning July 2022, a tier II family or group day
Speaker, I move to suspend the rules matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that care home described in subsection
and pass the bill (S. 2089) to amend follows through ‘‘A summary’’ in paragraph (f)(3)(A)(iii) of section 17 of the Richard B.
title 38, United States Code, to ensure (1) and inserting ‘‘a summary’’; and Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
that grants provided by the Secretary (3) by striking subsection (e) and inserting 1766) shall be considered a tier I family or
of Veterans Affairs for State veterans’ the following: group day care home for purposes of the pro-
cemeteries do not restrict States from ‘‘(e) SUNSET.— gram authorized under that section.
authorizing the interment of certain ‘‘(1) NATIONWIDE WAIVERS.—The authority (c) APPROPRIATIONS.—There are appro-
of the Secretary to establish or grant a waiv- priated, out of any funds in the Treasury not
deceased members of the reserve com- er under subsection (a) shall expire on Sep-
ponents of the Armed Forces in such otherwise appropriated, such sums as are
tember 30, 2022. necessary to carry out this section.
cemeteries, and for other purposes, as ‘‘(2) WAIVER RESTRICTION.—After June 30, SEC. 4. RESCISSIONS AND SUNSET.
amended. 2022, a waiver established or granted under
The Clerk read the title of the bill. (a) RESCISSIONS.—
subsection (a) shall only apply to schools or
The text of the bill is as follows: (1) USDA.—
summer food service program food service
(A) Of the unobligated balances from
S. 2089 sites—
‘‘(A) operating— amounts made available to the Department
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- of Agriculture in section 1001(a) of the Amer-
resentatives of the United States of America in ‘‘(i) the qualified program described in sub-
section (f)(1)(D); or ican Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (7 U.S.C. 7501
Congress assembled, note; Public Law 117–2), $1,000,000,000 are
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘(ii) the option described in section 13(a)(8)
of the Richard B. Russell National School hereby permanently rescinded.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Keep Kids (B) Of the unobligated balances from
Fed Act of 2022’’. Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(a)(8)); and
‘‘(B) not operating the qualified program amounts made available to the Department
SEC. 2. SUPPORT FOR CHILD NUTRITION PRO- of Agriculture in section 751 of division N of
GRAMS. described in subsection (f)(1)(A).
‘‘(3) OTHER WAIVERS.— the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
(a) IN GENERAL.— (Public Law 116–260; 134 Stat. 2105),
(1) TEMPORARY LUNCH REIMBURSEMENT.— ‘‘(A) CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM
WAIVER.—The authority of the Secretary to $400,000,000 are hereby permanently re-
Each lunch served under the school lunch scinded.
program authorized under the Richard B. establish or grant a waiver under subsection
(b) shall expire on June 30, 2022. (2) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.—Of the un-
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. obligated balances from amounts made
1751 et seq.) shall receive an additional reim- ‘‘(B) MEAL PATTERN WAIVER.—The author-
ity of the Secretary to establish or grant a available to the Department of Education in
bursement in the amount of 40 cents.
waiver under subsection (c) shall expire on section 2003 of title II of the American Res-
(2) TEMPORARY BREAKFAST REIMBURSE-
June 30, 2023. cue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 135
MENT.—Each breakfast served under the
‘‘(4) LIMITATIONS.—A waiver authorized by Stat. 23) and allocated to institutions of
school breakfast program established by sec-
the Secretary under this section shall not be higher education as defined in section 102(b)
tion 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42
in effect after the date on which the author- of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
U.S.C. 1773) shall receive an additional reim-
ity of the Secretary to establish or grant 1002(b)), $400,000,000 are hereby permanently
bursement in the amount of 15 cents.
that waiver under this subsection expires.’’. rescinded.
(3) LIMITATION.—The additional reimburse-
ment amounts authorized under this sub- (c) APPROPRIATION.—There are appro- (3) SBA.—Of the unobligated balances from
section shall only be available for the school priated, out of any funds in the Treasury not amounts made available to the Small Busi-
year beginning July 2022. otherwise appropriated, such sums as are ness Administration in section 5005 of the
(4) TEMPORARY GUIDELINES.—Notwith- necessary to provide waivers under section American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public
standing any provision of the Richard B. 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Re- Law 117–2; 135 Stat. 91) and in section
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. sponse Act (42 U.S.C. 1760 note; Public Law 323(d)(1)(H) of division N of the Consolidated
1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 116–127) that apply— Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260;
1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), for the school (1) only during the months of May through 134 Stat. 2021) to carry out section 324 of such
year beginning July 2022, the income guide- September in 2022; and division of such Act (15 U.S.C. 9009a),
lines for determining eligibility for free (2) to— $1,500,000,000 are hereby permanently re-
lunch under the school lunch program au- (A) the summer food service program for scinded.
thorized under the Richard B. Russell Na- children under section 13 of the Richard B. (b) ADDITIONAL RESCISSION.—Of the unobli-
tional School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. gated balances from amounts made available
seq.) and free breakfast under the school 1761); or to the Department of Agriculture under the
breakfast program established by section 4 of (B) the option described in section 13(a)(8) heading ‘‘Agricultural Programs—Office of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(a)(8)). the Secretary’’ in title I of division B of the
1773) shall be 185 percent of the applicable (d) NATIONWIDE WAIVER FOR SCHOOL YEAR Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu-
family size income levels contained in the 2022–2023.— rity Act (Public Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 505),
nonfarm income poverty guidelines pre- (1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of school $600,000,000 are hereby permanently re-
scribed by the Office of Management and year 2022–2023, the Secretary of Agriculture scinded.
Budget, as adjusted annually in accordance may establish waivers under section 12(l) of (c) SUNSET.—Section 756 of division N of
with section 9(b)(1)(B) of the Richard B. Rus- the Richard B. Russell National School the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (7
sell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l))— U.S.C. 2254c), is amended by striking ‘‘for fis-
1758(b)(1)(B)). (A) on a nationwide basis; and cal year’’ and all that follows through
(5) APPROPRIATIONS.— (B) without regard to the requirements ‘‘thereafter’’ and inserting ‘‘for each of fiscal
(A) IN GENERAL.—There is appropriated, under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of such sec- years 2021 and 2022’’.
out of any funds in the Treasury not other- tion that a State or eligible service provider SEC. 5. OPERATIONALLY READY.
wise appropriated, such sums as are nec- shall submit an application for a waiver re- The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure
essary to carry out this subsection. quest. that technical assistance is made available
(B) DISBURSEMENT.—A State agency shall (2) SUNSET.—A nationwide waiver estab- to States and school food authorities for pur-
disburse funds made available under subpara- lished by the Secretary of Agriculture under poses of assisting parents and school leaders
graph (A) to school food authorities partici- section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell Na- with respect to the transition of operating
pating in the school meal programs de- tional School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)) school meal programs not pursuant to a
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2). pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be in ef- waiver under section 2(d) or section 2202 of
(b) EXTENSION OF WAIVERS.—Section 2202 of fect after June 30, 2023. the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
the Families First Coronavirus Response Act SEC. 3. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM. (42 U.S.C. 1760 note; Public Law 116–127).
(42 U.S.C. 1760 note; Public Law 116–127) is (a) IN GENERAL.—
amended— (1) TEMPORARY ADDITIONAL REIMBURSEMENT The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— FOR 2022–2023 SCHOOL YEAR.—Each meal and ant to the rule, the gentleman from
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph supplement served under the program au- Virginia (Mr. SCOTT) and the gentle-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
(A), by inserting ‘‘due to the COVID–19 pan- thorized by section 17 of the Richard B. Rus- woman from California (Mrs. STEEL)
demic’’ after ‘‘(42 U.S.C. 1760(l))’’; sell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. each will control 20 minutes.
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’ 1766) shall receive additional reimbursement The Chair recognizes the gentleman
after the semicolon and inserting ‘‘or’’; and in the amount of 10 cents. from Virginia.
(C) by striking subparagraph (B) and in- (2) LIMITATION.—The additional reimburse-
GENERAL LEAVE
serting the following: ment amount authorized under paragraph (1)
‘‘(B) ensuring continuity of program oper- shall only be available for the school year Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam
ation under a qualified program.’’; beginning July 2022. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:48 Jun 24, 2022 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.024 H23JNPT1
H5838 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 23, 2022
all Members may have 5 legislative Madam Speaker, I am pleased to sup- Act. As food costs continue to soar,
days in which to revise and extend port this bipartisan legislation that this critical legislation is a lifeline for
their remarks and include extraneous will help ensure students receive millions of American families strug-
material on S. 2089. healthy school meals. Students need gling to make ends meet.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there access to nutritious meals so that they In my home State of Minnesota, one
objection to the request of the gen- can be their best, both in and out of the in nine children are food insecure. This
tleman from Virginia? classroom. Today’s bipartisan legisla- bipartisan legislation builds on my
There was no objection. tion does just that. bill, the MEALS Act, to ensure chil-
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam During pandemic lockdowns, school dren continue to receive school meals
Speaker, I yield myself such time as I food programs were critical to those in this summer. I am proud to have been
may consume. need. These programs play an impor- part of this fight.
Madam Speaker, S. 2089 was amended tant role in non-pandemic times, too. While I wish this agreement could
to replace the language of that bill It is important that we ensure this have provided a permanent solution,
with the language of H.R. 8150, the bi- program is sustainable for schools, and this is a vital step to prevent millions
partisan and bicameral Keep Kids Fed that means responsible oversight and a of children from going hungry through-
Act of 2022, in order to send the bill to return to regular order. out the next few months. In the mean-
the Senate for expedited passage. We want to make sure that students time, I will continue to fight for the
Roughly 2 years ago, our commu- who rely on school meals have access passage of my bill, the Universal
nities experienced an unprecedented to them and that schools can continue School Meals Program Act, to ensure
surge in child hunger, spurred by the to supply them, even in the face of sky- that no child in the richest country in
COVID–19 pandemic. Just weeks into rocketing, record-high inflation. the world goes hungry.
the pandemic, more than one of every As our constituents know, the price Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I re-
three households with children, and of just about everything has increased. serve the balance of my time.
nearly half of all mothers with young Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam
The average family is spending $450
children, struggled with food insecu- Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gen-
more per month. Eggs are up 32 per-
rity. tlewoman from North Carolina (Ms.
cent, milk is up 16 percent, and bacon
In response, Congress took decisive ADAMS), a member of the Committee
is up 15 percent. Our school meals pro-
action to ensure that child nutrition on Education and Labor and chair of
grams are no exception to these rising
programs, our best tools for addressing the Subcommittee on Workforce Pro-
costs.
child hunger, could continue feeding tections.
This measure will help schools cope Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I
hungry children during the pandemic.
with rising food prices by temporarily thank the gentleman for yielding. I
One of the most important steps we
providing supplemental reimburse- rise today for the millions of children
took was providing child nutrition pro-
ments as these programs transition who will go hungry next week if Con-
grams with the flexibility they needed
back to normal operations. gress does not extend child nutrition
to expand access to school meals and
I do think it is very important to em- waivers.
address the challenges of serving stu-
phasize that these increases are tem- No student or child should ever go
dents who are not physically in the
porary and will last 1 year. hungry in our country. At the start of
school buildings.
This relief made a measurable dif- I appreciate the Democrats and the the pandemic, Congress authorized
ference in our fight against child hun- Senate for working with us to ensure waivers to help make it easier for
ger. By expanding access to child nutri- these are temporary, supplemental schools to deliver meals to kids, and we
tion programs, we allowed an addi- funds to address inflation specifically. gave 10 million more children access to
tional 10 million students to receive They are not an arbitrary increase in healthy food.
free school meals each day. From Janu- spending. Using the inflation crisis or Given the reality of higher prices at
ary 2021 to April 2021, food shortages the supply chain problem to increase the grocery store, children and their
among households with children fell by Federal spending permanently would families can’t afford to lose the free,
more than 40 percent. be especially unwise and irresponsible. nutritious meals available at schools
Regrettably, unless Congress acts, I also am glad the legislation re- across the country. As a 40-year educa-
these key flexibilities would expire at quires USDA to provide school leaders tor, I know hunger has been a crisis in
the end of this month. and parents with support and guidance our schools and our communities since
The bipartisan and bicameral Keep as the program transitions to normal long before the pandemic.
Kids Fed Act of 2022 is likely our best operations. Madam Speaker, one in seven house-
and last opportunity to preserve relief It is Congress’ job to ensure these holds today has a child struggling with
for child nutrition programs. This leg- programs are working as efficiently food insecurity. In my home State of
islation would: and effectively as possible. It is our North Carolina, food insecurity has
Maintain school meal flexibilities duty to make sure these programs are been a tragic fact of life for our kids
that do not increase costs; fulfilling their intended purpose, which and our students.
Continue flexibilities to support sum- is to help students. Before the pandemic, in North Caro-
mer food programs this year; I am happy to see this legislation put lina, 92,000 students were participating
Provide additional support for child these school nutrition programs back in the Summer Food Service Program,
and adult care feeding programs; and on the right track. and 441,000 children were receiving
Increase school meal reimbursement Madam Speaker, I urge my col- SNAP assistance.
rates for this upcoming school year. leagues to support this bill, and I re- These numbers have only gone up.
As we continue to recover from the serve the balance of my time. Our choice is clear: We can choose to
pandemic, the Keep Kids Fed Act of Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam act, or we can let millions of children
2022 would take a critical step to sup- Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- go hungry.
port child nutrition programs and pre- woman from Minnesota (Ms. OMAR), a Madam Speaker, as always, I am
vent children from going hungry dur- distinguished member of the Com- standing with our students, and I urge
ing the ongoing public health emer- mittee on Education and Labor and a all of my colleagues to support S. 2089,
gency. This is a step well worth taking. leading advocate to reduce and elimi- as amended.
I thank the ranking member of the nate child hunger. Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I yield
full committee, Dr. Foxx, and Senators 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
b 1230
STABENOW and BOOZMAN for working North Carolina (Ms. FOXX), Republican
with me on this legislation. Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, I thank leader of the Committee on Education
Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote the chairman for his leadership on this and Labor.
on the bill, and I reserve the balance of legislation and for working tirelessly Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I thank
my time. to negotiate a solution. my colleague for yielding time.
Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I yield Madam Speaker, I rise today to ex- Madam Speaker, evidence is clear
myself such time as I may consume. press my support for the Keep Kids Fed that students are able to focus more at

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:48 Jun 24, 2022 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.025 H23JNPT1
June 23, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5839
school if they are receiving adequate for their example to solve this imme- We and our network of anti-hunger advo-
nutrition. Too many students are still diate and pressing challenge, and I look cates all across the country call on Congress
suffering from the harmful effects of forward to continuing to work with all to pass this legislation immediately as time
is running out. The child nutrition waivers
school closures, and we cannot afford of my colleagues to ensure that we cre-
that have been available since the onset of
to let students fall further behind. ate the ideal environments that allow the pandemic are set to expire on June 30.
The rise in food prices is putting all students to learn and thrive. This legislation would help mitigate the im-
most Americans in a tight spot. The Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I re- pact of the loss of the waivers and also would
same is true for schools. The bipartisan serve the balance of my time. be critical to supporting children’s access to
Keep Kids Fed Act will empower Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam summer meals and meals at childcare. The
schools to meet the crises our country Speaker, I yield myself such time as I provisions in the legislation are only tem-
is facing, from supply chain problems may consume. porary and do not go as far as we would like,
Madam Speaker, I include in the but they are a critical first step to help
to record-high inflation.
RECORD two letters from No Kid Hun- shield some of the impact of inflation, sup-
It is, however, extremely important ply chain disruptions, and labor shortages.
to emphasize that the support provided gry and the Food Research and Action Still, more must be done. FRAC looks for-
in this legislation is both targeted and Center, better known as FRAC. ward to working with Congress to make
temporary, as all aid should be. We [From Share Our Strength] much-needed, long-term improvements to
also worked hard to ensure that this SHARE OUR STRENGTH’S LISA DAVIS ON THE the child nutrition programs to more fully
legislation was budget-neutral so it INTRODUCTION OF THE ‘KEEP KIDS FED’ ACT address our nation’s hunger crisis.
does not put additional burden on tax- TO EXTEND CHILD NUTRITION WAIVERS Hungry children can’t wait.
payers. Importantly, this legislation WASHINGTON, DC.—This afternoon, leader- Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam
will return our Nation’s school meal ship from the Senate Committee on Agri- Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I
programs to regular order. This is the culture, Nutrition and Forestry and the reserve the balance of my time.
primary reason I support this legisla- House Committee on Education and Labor Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I yield
announced an agreement to extend nation- myself the balance of my time.
tion. wide child nutrition waivers, which are set
For over 2 years, Democrats used a Madam Speaker, the Keep Kids Fed
to expire on June 30. The Keep Kids Fed Act
permanent pandemic narrative to in- would extend some of these waivers through Act is a bipartisan, budget-neutral bill
crease Federal spending across the the 2022–2023 school year and provide school that supports students and protects
board, including within school meal nutrition programs with additional funding taxpayers. This bill will return our
programs. This has fueled inflation. to help address food price inflation and sup- school nutrition programs back to nor-
This is not only irresponsible but ig- ply chain challenges. The following is a mal, pre-pandemic operations. I appre-
nores the narrow limits Congress pur- statement from No Kid Hungry Senior Vice ciate the majority working with us to
President Lisa Davis: ensure this is a true transition back to
posefully placed on these programs. ‘‘We are grateful that a deal has come to-
Congress never intended to provide gether to help address the immense chal-
regular operation, which is fully paid
universal free breakfasts and lunches lenges facing schools and community organi- for and includes a requirement to sup-
to all K–12 students regardless of need. zations working tirelessly to feed kids this port parents and school leaders.
By returning these programs back to summer and during the school year. This This legislation will also support
normal, we can uphold our responsi- issue couldn’t be more urgent with waivers schools dealing with the supply chain
bility to taxpayers and the principle expiring in nine days and summer meals pro- and inflation crisis. This allows our
that aid should be targeted and tem- grams already up and running. Nation’s schools to focus on delivering
‘‘Time is of the essence, especially for
porary. healthy meals for students so they can
those operating summer meals sites without
The Keep Kids Fed Act offers a viable the certainty and flexibility of the waivers focus on being successful in the class-
solution to the problems facing school who will face difficulties turning on a dime. room. I am pleased we were able to
meal programs while also refocusing We know these waivers are needed and that come to a bicameral and bipartisan so-
these programs on their purpose: help- they work. The reach of the summer meals lution, and I urge my colleagues to
ing students in need. program increased dramatically with them, vote for the Keep Kids Fed Act.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam doubling in 2021 and even tripling in 2020. Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal-
‘‘While these waivers don’t solve supply ance of my time.
Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gen-
chain issues, lower the rising cost of food
tleman from Indiana (Mr. MRVAN), the and gas, or solve our nation’s inflation prob-
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam
distinguished member of the Com- lem, they do help soften their impact on Speaker, I yield myself the balance of
mittee on Education and Labor. schools and community organizations and, my time.
Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, I ultimately, keep kids fed and nourished. Madam Speaker, as I said at the be-
thank the chairman for yielding. ‘‘As we know with legislation like this, ginning of the debate, the legislation
Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- there can be miles to go before it gets across before us is likely our last and best op-
port of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which the finish line. We urge Congress to move portunity to protect millions of stu-
quickly on the Keep Kids Fed Act before na-
will aim to ensure our communities, dents’ access to nutrition programs,
tionwide child nutrition waivers expire on
schools, and daycares can provide June 30.’’ which have been critical to feeding
healthy meals to children this summer. -- hungry children during the pandemic.
At a time when parents are strug- [From Luis Guardia, president, Food The simple reality is that schools,
gling to put food on the table and Research & Action Center (FRAC)] children, and families are still dealing
prices at the grocery store are at an HUNGRY CHILDREN CAN’T WAIT: CONGRESS with the impacts of COVID–19. As
all-time high, I am grateful for this bi- MUST ACT QUICKLY TO PASS CRITICAL LEG- school meal programs continue to en-
cameral, bipartisan effort to address ISLATION dure supply chain disruptions, infla-
food insecurity. WASHINGTON, June 21, 2022.—FRAC com- tion, and other challenges, the Keep
Throughout my career, I have fo- mends the bi-partisan legislation introduced Kids Fed Act of 2022 would provide
cused on making sure to stay in touch. today by Senate Agriculture Chairwoman school meal programs that are ur-
Debbie Stabenow (D–MI), Ranking Member
I had the opportunity to sit with over John Boozman (R–AR) and House Education
gently needed for stability and will
60 nutritionists for the school lunch and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D–VA) help continue providing students with
programs, who had a sense of urgency and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (R–NC), nutritious meals that they need.
and concern not about their jobs, but to help support children, families, schools, We know this bill alone will not end
about the rising costs and their ability and child care providers as they struggle to all hunger in America, but it will be an
to make sure that young people, K–12, recover from the fallout of the pandemic. important step to stand up for our Na-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
are able to have the meals in a dig- Provisions in the Keep Kids Fed Act would tion’s children and fulfill our basic re-
nified matter, to be able to be educated increase reimbursements to schools and sponsibility to keep them from going
child care, support access to summer meals
and overcome obstacles, and to make by extending the summer waivers, allow
hungry.
sure that they were fed and ready for children eligible for reduced-price school Again, I thank the ranking member
class. meals to receive free school meals, and of the committee, Dr. FOXX, and I
That being said, today, I thank streamline access to healthy meals for chil- thank the gentlewoman from Cali-
Chairman SCOTT and all my colleagues dren in family child care. fornia, Mrs. STEEL, for helping to bring

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:48 Jun 24, 2022 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.026 H23JNPT1
H5840 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 23, 2022
this bipartisan, bicameral legislation that our school meals are available to as Families for whom every penny counts.
to the floor. I also thank Senators STA- many of our students as possible. I think of how these families must have felt
BENOW and BOOZMAN for their work in The school meals provisions were an effec- when they learned that the aid on which they
bringing this legislation to reality. tive response by this Congress to the COVID– had relied to feed their children was suddenly
Madam Speaker, I urge my col- 19 pandemic. Schools, children and families going to be taken away.
leagues to support S. 2089, as amended, were disrupted as this deadly disease raced I imagine they felt helpless.
and I yield back the balance of my through our country. Congress acted to make It is in our power to feed these children.
time. sure that we provided flexibility to ensure that The ‘‘Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022’’ would
Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in no child would miss a meal that they would allow schools to feed children throughout the
support of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which pro- otherwise have received in school. upcoming school year. This bill would extend
vides vital funding to ensure our children are Why is that important? Because Congress free meals and snacks for children during the
fed healthy meals over these next few sum- has long recognized that hunger and learning summer months, and it would provide en-
mer months—and that schools and daycares do not mix well, if at all. This isn’t some theo- hanced supports to Child and Adult Care pro-
are supported throughout the school year. retical or academic debate. I know what its grams—all without disrupting the budget.
As one of the wealthiest nations in the like to be hungry and in school. And I am sad- In the summer of 2020, hungry children
world, no child should go hungry. Yet far too dened that decades after I went through that were provided with more than 10 million meals
many children struggle with hunger in this experience as a student, many other children via the federally supported Summer Meal Pro-
country. This is a tragedy. For more than 22 still must deal with that reality each and every gram.
school day. 195,000 children were fed.
million children who rely on school breakfast 195,000 children were given apples, sand-
and lunch programs, summer vacation means Food is not a luxury. So hearing that the
USDA COVID waivers that had allowed mil- wiches, yogurts, juice boxes.
worrying about when they will eat next. They were given the opportunity to enjoy a
We all know that hunger can have lifelong lions of kids to stay nourished were expiring
was an emergency for me. And I know the summer free of hunger.
consequences for children—making it more That is reason enough to act.
difficult to learn . . . play . . . and connect Chairman shares that sentiment. The ‘‘Keep Kids Fed Act’’ would also in-
with kids their age. Kids who go hungry during Frankly, it has been hard to sleep thinking
crease reimbursements to school nutrition pro-
summer often start school behind, which can of what happens in communities like Mil-
grams for both breakfast and lunch meals.
lead to serious health concerns like develop- waukee when families find this lifeline cut off American families are not the only ones
mental delays . . . chronic illness . . . and arbitrarily even while the pandemic that struggling to put food on the table amidst the
mental health issues. They are at higher risk spawned these provisions, continues. current economic crisis.
for anemia, asthma, diabetes—and more likely The reality is that hunger and food insecu- School nutrition professionals have ex-
to experience anxiety and depression. rity did not take a break during this pandemic. pressed deep concern over the impacts that
So, I am pleased that we have reached a In fact, reports indicate it got worse. Hunger supply-chain issues and inflation have had on
bipartisan agreement on extending school doesn’t take a summer vacation even though their ability to provide quality meals to their
meal waivers until the summer’s end and con- our schools do. students.
tinues to support schools and daycares It shouldn’t have taken all of this to get us With the end of pandemic-relief nutritional
throughout the year. These child nutrition to agree on this: Feed our kids so they can aid fast approaching, and the cost of labor ris-
waivers are a lifeline to schools, children, and concentrate on learning and being kids. These ing, some schools could see their yearly budg-
hardworking families across the country. waivers have done a great deal to help us ets decrease by 40 percent this year.
During the pandemic, school meals were a achieve that and I hope we can continue to School cafeterias cannot produce meals out
lifeline to students—providing them with work to ensure that we can take the great les- of thin air.
healthy meals whether they were attending sons learned about how to effectively reach They need our help.
school in person or virtually. They have been and nourish school children during this pan- The House Amendment to S. 2089 would
a critical component of our nation’s response demic and use them to put in place permanent increase the reimbursement rates for the
to this pandemic. But schools continue to face provisions that will ensure that all of our chil- 2022–2023 school year by an additional 15
a variety of challenges, including supply chain dren can go to school and focus on their edu- cents per breakfast and 40 cents per lunch—
disruptions, labor shortages, serving meals cation money that our nation’s schools desperately
That includes taking up and passing bills need.
safely, and rising food prices. Waivers have
like the Universal School Meals Program Act This bill would not fix the inflation problem,
been vital this school year to support school
which I have joined with Rep. OMAR in intro- lower the cost of gas, or unclog the supply
nutrition. And extending the waivers is the
ducing that would provide the most cost-effec- chain. But it would put food on the plates of
path forward to ensure all children have ac-
tive and inclusive model for ensuring all stu- hungry children across America.
cess to nutritious school meals over the sum-
dents have access to nutritious meals during That is why I rise in support of the House
mer months that they need to learn and thrive.
the school day without facing barriers such as Amendment to S. 2089, the ‘‘Keep Kids Fed
As I have said from the start—failure is not
stigma or burdensome paperwork. Act’’ and urge my colleagues to do the same.
an option. And we need to get a deal across
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I am The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
the finish line. It is our responsibility to ensure
proud to rise in strong support of the House question is on the motion offered by
that our children do not go hungry. School
Amendment to S. 2089, the ‘‘Keep Kids Fed the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
meal waivers have given stability to hundreds
Act of 2022.’’ SCOTT) that the House suspend the
of children who prior to this program, likely did Today’s bill is a matter of urgency. rules and pass the bill, S. 2089, as
not know where their next meal was coming If Congress does not act now to pass this amended.
from. emergency legislation, millions of children will The question was taken.
I am disappointed that House Republicans spend their summer hungry. Millions of chil- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
insisted on an offset. We need to feed children dren may be forced to spend their school days opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being
in this country—and that should never be up not learning and growing but feeling the pangs in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
for debate. of empty stomachs. Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Madam Speak-
With that, I am proud of this bill and the im- Hungry children cannot focus their attention er, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
pact I know it will have—providing school on their studies and learning. They simply The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
workers . . . parents . . . and caregivers with cannot thrive while trying to survive. ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
the security of knowing that the children they Free and reduced breakfast and lunch waiv- 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
care for will be fed through the summer. ers are lifelines for families across the nation. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur-
So, I am voting in favor of this critical legis- I think of the struggling families in my district ther proceedings on this motion are
lation—and I urge my colleagues to do the who have battled against the COVID–19 pan- postponed.

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
same. demic for the past two years. f
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speak- Families who now face record high inflation
er, I rise in strong support of the Keep Kids rates, skyrocketing gas prices, and the rising ENHANCING MENTAL HEALTH AND
Fed Act. cost of food. SUICIDE PREVENTION THROUGH
I want to thank Chairman SCOTT for his Families who are stretching dollars to pay CAMPUS PLANNING ACT
steadfast leadership and determination to work for rent, to get to the doctor, to keep the lights Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam
to get something worked out to help ensure on. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:48 Jun 24, 2022 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.027 H23JNPT1

File and source

File: CREC_crec-2022-06-23_crec-2022-06-23-pt1-pgh5837.pdf
Size: 278,185 bytes
SHA-256: eb00ebd7bb4bfdf7c8d736add564bdd0e58c03a9dff1e0a9674b101a38a39220
Our copy: CREC_crec-2022-06-23_crec-2022-06-23-pt1-pgh5837.pdf
Original: www.govinfo.gov