House boosts funding for school breakfast program

The House on Wednesday adopted a proposal from Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) to boost funding for school breakfast equipment grants.

Approved by voice vote, Lee’s amendment to the 2015 Agriculture appropriations bill would increase funding for the school breakfast grant program by $8.1 million by offsetting the same amount from the Agriculture secretary’s administrative accounts. The amendment would bring total funding for school breakfast equipment grants to $35 million, which aligns with the Obama administration budget request.

{mosads}”These competitive grants allow states, schools and local educational agencies to purchase important equipment for their school breakfast programs,” Lee said. “Oftentimes, this is really the meal that children rely on to help them get through the day.”

Lee said that the school breakfast program is particularly crucial for children from low-income families who may not have enough to eat at home.

“The bottom line is breakfasts are very, very important to the growth, health and welfare and the development of our children,” Lee said.

Lee’s amendment did not encounter any opposition on the House floor. 

“Since there’s an acceptable offset, we’ll be willing to accept this amendment,” said Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), the chairman of the House Appropriations Agriculture subcommittee.

The House is considering the 2015 Agriculture appropriations bill under an open rule, which allows members to offer an unlimited number of amendments. Passage is not expected until Thursday.