Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mrs. LUNA. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I am happy to be here today to draw attention to something that is important to our children's health, parental choice, and the many farmers across our Nation.

For years, America's school lunches have lagged behind other countries' programs in terms of health and nutrition. European and Asian students often have access to fresher and healthier meals than students in the United States.

This problem has been worsened by the Federal Government's overregulating what schools are allowed to serve our children, in particular, preventing schools from offering whole milk to students. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would allow students who participate in the National School Lunch program to serve their students whole milk, but my amendment goes a step further by ensuring schools may also offer their students to use organic milk as well.

The food we give our children and where it comes from is incredibly important. My amendment empowers parents and the ability that they have to decide what is healthiest for their children.

As many parents know, high-quality nutrition is closely related to better academic and behavioral outcomes in children. Allowing parents to choose organic milk is a step in the right direction.

Studies have also found that organic milk contains more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants than nonorganic milk, which helps with brain function, heart health, and fighting disease, respectively.

Of course, it is vital that we also know where this milk comes from, organic or not. Far too often, Congress listens to special interest and big ag lobbyists and ignores the countless family farmers who are the backbone of our country.

Our organic family farmers and the countless unseen families who feed our Nation are invaluable to our country. These farmers work many long, thankless hours to bring us nutrient-rich, high-quality milk.

Mr. Chair, on behalf of my family and I, I thank them. I am thankful to be able to be here today to continue to empower and fight for our children, and I thank those that are helping to bring organic milk to our country.

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Mrs. LUNA. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

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Mrs. LUNA. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I hear a lot from my colleagues across the aisle on the experts, but I also wonder how many people in Congress have had to use National School Lunch programs; and, frankly, I have been one of those people.

When I hear people speak in opposition to this saying that it is going to hurt minorities, it is going to hurt those of us who have actually had to use the program, I find it ironic. Frankly, I think that we need more people in office that have had rougher upbringings to bring a different lens and perspective.

To hear that whole milk is bad for children, to hear the arguments against organic milk, and to hear the arguments that are coming from across the aisle, I don't know that it represents, necessarily, the best interests of the American people other than political spite.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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