The Government Affairs Department would like to share an update on yesterday’s (5/18/16) House Education and the Workforce markup of the child nutrition reauthorization bill—Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016 (H.R. 5003). The bill passed out of committee on a 20-14 vote after 31 amendments were offered. National PTA sent this letter in opposition to the bill prior to yesterday’s markup.
Below are few amendments we wanted to highlight:
- Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) offered an amendment to make “cultural foods” comply with whole grain-rich requirements in school meals which passed by voice vote. The original bill exempted “cultural foods” from whole grain-rich requirements in school meals.
- Representative Susan Davis (D-CA-53) offered an amendment to delete language that would limit the number of times schools can contact families encouraging them to participate in the school meals program. This amendment was defeated by a 16-19 vote with all Democratic members voting in favor of the amendment as well as three Republicans—Representatives Joe Heck (R-NV-3), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL-26) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21). Because the amendment was defeated, the bill retains language that limits the amount of times a school can contact families about the school meals program to two times per school year.
- Representative Jared Polis (D-CO-2) offered an amendment that passed to add parents to the list of stakeholders involved in the three year review process of nutrition standards.
Since the bill has passed out of Committee, it needs to go to the House floor for further consideration. At this time we have not heard when and if it will go the House floor, however we will certainly keep you updated on the progress of the House and Senate child nutrition reauthorization bills. The Senate passed their child nutrition reauthorization bill out of the Senate Agriculture Committee in February, but the Senate has not considered it on the Senate floor yet either.
A recording of the markup can be viewed at this link. A full list of amendments offered at the markup can be viewed at this link in 2-3 business day.
If you have any questions about either the House or Senate bills or the process, please reach out to Josh Westfall at jwestfall@pta.org or at 703-518-1249.
