Education
In May, the average school district lost $200,000, according to program directors familiar with the situation. Bonamici's legislation could save school meal programs from insolvency.
"Nutritious meals help students stay healthy while they learn and grow," she said. "For many children, school meals provided their primary source of nutrition before the pandemic, and now even more families struggle to put food on their tables because of unemployment and unexpected financial distress."
In May, the average school district lost $200,000, according to program directors familiar with the situation. Bonamici's legislation could save school meal programs from insolvency.
"Nutritious meals help students stay healthy while they learn and grow," she said. "For many children, school meals provided their primary source of nutrition before the pandemic, and now even more families struggle to put food on their tables because of unemployment and unexpected financial distress."
The Representatives and Senators responded to an interim final rule from the U.S. Department of Education that incorrectly interprets the equitable services provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and improperly diverts federal emergency aid dollars intended for public schools to private school students—without regard to need or income. Their letter details the numerous ways that the Department's rule disregards the CARES Act and existing law, including waiving the mandatory 30-day waiting period for this rule to take effect.
The Representatives and Senators responded to an interim final rule from the U.S. Department of Education that incorrectly interprets the equitable services provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and improperly diverts federal emergency aid dollars intended for public schools to private school students—without regard to need or income. Their letter details the numerous ways that the Department's rule disregards the CARES Act and existing law, including waiving the mandatory 30-day waiting period for this rule to take effect.
Suzanne Bonamici, the US House representative for Oregon, helped introduce legislation on Thursday to make all students eligible for free school meals this school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislation, called the Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act, would allow kids to access breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snack programs in school or through "grab-and-go" and delivery options.
The effort is co-led by several other representatives and officials.