Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023

Hozzl · 2024-03-14T04:05:46Z

Explore the details of House Bill 3204 Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Agriculture and Food. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/14/2024, 4:05 AM

Summary of Bill HR 3204

Bill 118 HR 3204, also known as the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023, aims to provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to all students in public schools across the United States. The bill seeks to address food insecurity among students and ensure that all children have access to nutritious meals throughout the school day.

Under this legislation, the federal government would allocate funding to cover the cost of meals for all students, regardless of their family's income level. This would eliminate the need for families to fill out applications for free or reduced-price meals, streamlining the process and reducing stigma for students who rely on school meals for their nutrition.

Proponents of the bill argue that universal school meals would help improve academic performance, reduce absenteeism, and promote overall health and well-being among students. They also believe that providing meals to all students would help address disparities in access to nutritious food and alleviate financial burdens on families. Opponents of the bill raise concerns about the cost of implementing a universal school meals program and the potential for waste and abuse. They argue that targeting resources to students in need would be a more efficient and cost-effective approach to addressing food insecurity. Overall, the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023 represents a significant effort to ensure that all students have access to the nutrition they need to succeed in school. The bill is currently under consideration in Congress, where lawmakers will debate its merits and potential impact on students, families, and schools across the country.

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Current Status of Bill HR 3204

Bill HR 3204 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 11, 2023. Bill HR 3204 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on May 11, 2023. Bill HR 3204's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture. as of June 1, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3204

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

200

Democrat Cosponsors

200

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3204

Primary Policy Focus

Agriculture and Food

Potential Impact Areas

Adoption and foster careCensus and government statisticsChild care and developmentChild healthCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDebt collectionDetention of personsElementary and secondary educationEmployment and training programsFood assistance and reliefFood supply, safety, and labelingFruit and vegetablesHomelessness and emergency shelterInflation and pricesJuvenile crime and gang violenceMilitary personnel and dependentsNutrition and dietPoverty and welfare assistanceRight of privacyState and local financeState and local government operations

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3204

Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.

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