Supporting Whole Milk for Schoolchildren

Floor Speech

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Mr. MANNION. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation that promotes the health and well-being of America's schoolchildren, while strengthening American agriculture, including the world-class dairy products and family farms across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. That legislation, Mr. Speaker, is the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.

Earlier this week, the House passed this bill with overwhelming bipartisan support, a clear sign that commonsense policy can still bring Democrats and Republicans together.

This bipartisan bill that I proudly cosponsored does something simple and practical. It gives schools the flexibility to serve nutritious milk options, while supporting local dairy farmers.

Since whole milk was removed from school cafeterias, milk consumption has dropped sharply. Kids aren't meeting recommended daily intake, and that matters for their health and their focus. Speaking as a former teacher for nearly three decades, it matters for their academic success.

Mr. Speaker, notably, this bill doesn't mandate changes. It simply restores choice. Kids can't learn on empty stomachs. This is the right policy for our schools, for our farmers, and for our country. I thank my colleagues for supporting it.

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