End Hunger Now

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on March 24, the Trump administration abruptly terminated the highly successful Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant program which helps schools incorporate healthy, locally grown foods into their school meal programs.

USDA's own findings report that 61 percent of schools using the program saw increased fruit and vegetable consumption among students.

The bottom line is this program is good for kids, good for families, and good for farmers. That is why last week I led a letter to Agriculture Secretary Rollins, along with Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici, Stacey Plaskett, Chellie Pingree, and 34 other Democrats, demanding answers on why the administration suddenly canceled this congressionally authorized and funded program with no notice to Congress.

Mr. Speaker, despite promising to support farmers and promote health, this is just another of many recent examples of the Trump administration callously undercutting our farmers, schools, and the well-being of our communities.

We should be expanding wonderful programs like Patrick Leahy Farm to School grants, not gutting them, to end hunger now.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the National Emergencies Act and the Emergency Economic Powers Act, I move to discharge the Committee on Foreign Affairs from further consideration of H.J. Res. 72, relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source