Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which provides vital funding to ensure our children are fed healthy meals over these next few summer months--and that schools and daycares are supported throughout the school year.

As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, no child should go hungry. Yet far too many children struggle with hunger in this country. This is a tragedy. For more than 22 million children who rely on school breakfast and lunch programs, summer vacation means worrying about when they will eat next.

We all know that hunger can have lifelong consequences for children-- making it more difficult to learn . . . play . . . and connect with kids their age. Kids who go hungry during summer often start school behind, which can lead to serious health concerns like developmental delays . . . chronic illness . . . and mental health issues. They are at higher risk for anemia, asthma, diabetes--and more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

So, I am pleased that we have reached a bipartisan agreement on extending school meal waivers until the summer's end and continues to support schools and daycares throughout the year. These child nutrition waivers are a lifeline to schools, children, and hardworking families across the country.

During the pandemic, school meals were a lifeline to students-- providing them with healthy meals whether they were attending school in person or virtually. They have been a critical component of our nation's response to this pandemic. But schools continue to face a variety of challenges, including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, serving meals safely, and rising food prices. Waivers have been vital this school year to support school nutrition. And extending the waivers is the path forward to ensure all children have access to nutritious school meals over the summer months that they need to learn and thrive.

As I have said from the start--failure is not an option. And we need to get a deal across the finish line. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children do not go hungry. School meal waivers have given stability to hundreds of children who prior to this program, likely did not know where their next meal was coming from.

I am disappointed that House Republicans insisted on an offset. We need to feed children in this country--and that should never be up for debate.

With that, I am proud of this bill and the impact I know it will have--providing school workers . . . parents . . . and caregivers with the security of knowing that the children they care for will be fed through the summer.

So, I am voting in favor of this critical legislation--and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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