House Child Nutrition Bill Passes Out of Committee

Image by USDAgov via Flickr

The House version of the Child Nutrition Act has moved one step further on its legislative journey.  After two days of markup and amendments, the House Education and Labor Committee has passed the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act (H.R. 5504) by a vote of 32-13. Republican support came from House members Michael Castle (DE) Vernon Ehlers (MI) and Todd Platts (PA).

Spearheaded by committee chair George Miller (D-CA), the  $8 billion legislation authorizes, among other things,  increased access to free meals, improved nutrition and food safety standards and oversight of food sold in vending machines.

The next step:  Getting the bill heard on the full House floor. Advocates hope it will be scheduled before Congress breaks for summer recess (Aug. 9-Sept. 12). In a press statement, First Lady Michelle Obama lauded the committee’s efforts, but is calling for continued movement on an issue that is near and dear to her: “I urge both the House and Senate to take their child nutrition bills to the floor and pass them without delay. The President looks forward to signing a final bill this year, so that we can make significant progress in improving the nutrition and health of children across our nation.”

Updates will appear here as they are received.