Examining the USDA&apos;s Proposed Cuts to Free School Meals. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, Committee on Education and Labor. U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session (October 16, 2019). Serial Number 116-43
Author: US House of Representatives. Committee on Education and Labor
Date: 2021-00-00
Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Subjects: Public Agencies,Budgeting,Retrenchment,Federal Aid,Lunch Programs,Breakfast Programs,Low Income Students,Eligibility,Federal Programs,Welfare Services

On July 23, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a new rule that will restrict eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. On its own, the proposal will cut access to food assistance for about 3.1 million low income Americans, which will have significant consequences for individuals and families struggling to get by. Under the Community Eligibility Provision, nearly 2,000 schools across the country provide free school meals to all of their students because more than 40 percent of their students participate in an anti-poverty program such as SNAP. Schools participating in Community Eligibility appreciate the simplification of the program, the reduction of paperwork, and importantly, the elimination of stigma among students. For schools currently just above the 40 percent threshold, the proposed rule very well could kick enough students off SNAP that the school would lose access to the Community Eligibility Provision. As a result, these schools will be forced to go through the burdensome process of asking low income families to fill out individual applications for free or reduced price school meals. During the hearing to examine this proposal, statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Suzanne Bonamici, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services; and (2) Honorable James Comer, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. Statement of Witness was presented by: Mr. Brandon Lipps, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additional submissions include: (1) Chairwoman Bonamici: Letterhead dated August 7, 2020 from National Education Association (NEA) on behalf of Alma Adams; and Letter dated October 15, 2019 from National Education Association (NEA); (2) Mr. Comer: Letterhead dated September 20, 2019 from Congress of the United States; and Letter from Congress of the United States; (3) Honorable Marcia L. Fudge, a Representative in Congress from the State of Ohio: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Comment Letter; Letter dated October 2, 2019 from Congressional Black Caucus; and Letter dated October 16, 2019 from This Mark Matters; (4) Honorable Jahana Hayes, a Representative in Congress from the State of Connecticut: Interreligious Work Group On Domestic Human Needs (DHN); and Letter dated September 23, 2019; (5) Honorable Susie Lee, a Representative in Congress from the State of Nevada: Letter dated September 20, 2019 from Mazon; (6) Honorable Glenn ''GT'' Thompson, a Representative in Congress from the State of Pennsylvania: Letter dated October 23, 2019; and Link: FNS Quality Control Process for SNAP Error Rate; (7) Honorable David J. Trone, a Representative in Congress from the State of Maryland: Notice of Proposed Rule Making from Maryland Hunger Solutions; Comment on FR Doc # 2019-15670; Comment on FR Doc: 2019-15670; and Community Eligibility: The Key to Hunger-Free Schools; (8) Questions submitted for the record by: Ms. Fudge; Mrs. Lee; Honorable Ilhan Omar, a Representative in Congress from the State of Minnesota; and Honorable Robert ''Bobby'' C. Scott, a Representative in Congress from the State of Virginia; and (9) Mr. Lipp's response to questions submitted for the record.