[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S171-S173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. Harkin, Mr. McConnell and Mr. 
        Leahy):

  S. 1581. A bill to reauthorize child nutrition programs, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry.


            THE CHILD NUTRITION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
reauthorize those child nutrition provisions expiring in 1998. The 
child nutrition programs have been critically important in helping meet 
the nutritional needs of our children. Although not all child nutrition 
programs need to be reauthorized, this process gives us the opportunity 
to review all programs under the National School Lunch Act and the 
Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
  As an Indianapolis school board member and the city's mayor in the 
late 1960's and early 1970's, I saw firsthand the need to provide 
nutritional assistance to children. Since that time, the child 
nutrition programs have changed in many ways. Today's programs have 
been successful in ensuring that our nation's children have access to 
nutritious foods, providing a critical safety net for children. 
Although the programs may need some fine tuning, the programs have 
ensured that America's school children, in a country of abundance, have 
a chance to eat. This is fundamental and something we must preserve.
  Some of the larger programs that must be reauthorized include: 1) the 
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, 
often referred to as the WIC program; 2) State Administrative Expenses, 
a program which provides grants to states to help cover general 
administrative costs associated with child nutrition programs; 3) the 
WIC Farmers' Market program which allows states and tribal 
organizations to offer special WIC vouchers to buy fresh produce; 4) 
the Summer Food Service program which provides reimbursements for meals 
served to children in summer programs operated in lower-income areas; 
and 5) the requirement to use certain funds to purchase commodities to 
maintain commodity assistance for child nutrition programs. In 
addition, there are a few other expiring provisions that must be 
reauthorized. This bill extends all expiring programs through 2003. 
Although it is not necessary to reauthorize the National School Lunch 
and Breakfast Programs, we hope to review and improve those programs 
during this reauthorization process.
  The child nutrition programs continue to successfully feed our 
nation's children to help them prepare for the future. In 1997, 
approximately 89,000 schools enrolling 46 million children participated 
in the National School Lunch program. Although participation in the 
school breakfast program is

[[Page S172]]

not as large as that in the school lunch program, it has continued to 
grow. Since 1994, school breakfast participation has increased about 
13% so that now over 70% of schools operating a school lunch program 
also operate a school breakfast program.
  The WIC program, which provides nutritious foods and other support to 
lower-income infants and children (up to age 5), and pregnant, 
postpartum, and breast-feeding women, has been successful at reducing 
the number of low-birth-weight babies. Its success has led to strong 
support over the years. In 1997, average monthly WIC participation was 
7.4 million persons. In many states, the program has reached the long 
sought after goal of full funding. This year as we reauthorize the 
program, we will look to see if there are ways to make this successful 
program run even better.
  Senators Harkin, McConnell and Leahy have joined with me today to 
introduce this important bill. I wish to stress that this bill is a 
starting point for debate on child nutrition reauthorization. I am sure 
that the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee as well as the 
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the subcommittee have 
additional ideas to improve these programs. Nutrition programs in the 
Congress have a long history of bipartisan support and cooperation and 
I am certain that we will continue that tradition. I look forward to 
working with them and other members of the Agriculture Committee, on 
both sides of the aisle, to craft a thoughtful and sensible bill to 
reauthorize the child nutrition programs.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in full 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1581

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

               SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Child 
     Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

               TITLE I--SCHOOL LUNCH AND RELATED PROGRAMS

Sec. 101. Grants to integrate food and nutrition projects with 
              elementary school curricula.
Sec. 102. Summer food service program for children.
Sec. 103. Commodity distribution program.
Sec. 104. Child and adult care food program.
Sec. 105. Pilot projects.
Sec. 106. Training, technical assistance, and food service management 
              institute.
Sec. 107. Compliance and accountability.
Sec. 108. Information clearinghouse.
Sec. 109. Guidance and grants for accommodating special dietary needs 
              of children with disabilities.

            TITLE II--SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND RELATED PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. State administrative expenses.
Sec. 202. Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, 
              and children.
Sec. 203. Nutrition education and training.

               TITLE I--SCHOOL LUNCH AND RELATED PROGRAMS

     SEC. 101. GRANTS TO INTEGRATE FOOD AND NUTRITION PROJECTS 
                   WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULA.

       Section 12(m) of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1760(m)) is amended by striking ``1998'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2003''.

     SEC. 102. SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN.

       Section 13(q) of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1761(q)) is amended by striking ``1998'' and inserting 
     ``2003''.

     SEC. 103. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.

       Section 14(a) of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1762a(a)) is amended by striking ``1998'' and inserting 
     ``2003''.

     SEC. 104. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM.

       Section 17 of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1766) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(6)(B), by striking ``1997'' and 
     inserting ``2003''; and
       (2) in subsection (p), by striking ``1998'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2003''.

     SEC. 105. PILOT PROJECTS.

       Section 18 of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1769) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c), by striking ``1998'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2003'';
       (2) in subsection (e)(5), by striking ``and 1998'' and 
     inserting ``through 2003'';
       (3) in subsections (g)(5) and (h)(5), by striking ``1997'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``2003''; and
       (4) in subsection (i)(8), by striking ``1998'' and 
     inserting ``2003''.

     SEC. 106. TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND FOOD SERVICE 
                   MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE.

       Section 21(e)(1) of the National School Lunch Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1769b-1(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``1998'' and 
     inserting ``2003''.

     SEC. 107. COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

       Section 22(d) of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1769c(d)) is amended by striking ``1996'' and inserting 
     ``2003''.

     SEC. 108. INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE.

       Section 26(d) of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1769g(d)) is amended in the first sentence by striking 
     ``fiscal year 1998'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 
     1998 through 2003''.

     SEC. 109. GUIDANCE AND GRANTS FOR ACCOMMODATING SPECIAL 
                   DIETARY NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.

       Section 27(c)(6) of the National School Lunch Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1769h(c)(6)) is amended by striking ``1998'' and 
     inserting ``2003''.
            TITLE II--SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND RELATED PROGRAMS

     SEC. 201. STATE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

       Section 7(g) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
     1776(g)) is amended by striking ``1998'' and inserting 
     ``2003''.

     SEC. 202. SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, 
                   INFANTS, AND CHILDREN.

       Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
     1786) is amended in subsections (g)(1), (h)(2)(A), 
     (h)(10)(A), and (m)(9)(A) by striking ``1998'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2003''.

     SEC. 203. NUTRITION EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

       Section 19(i)(3) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
     U.S.C. 1788(i)(3)) is amended--
       (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``2002'' and 
     inserting ``2003''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``2002'' and inserting 
     ``2003''.

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to have this opportunity to 
join Chairman Lugar, Senator McConnell and Senator Leahy in introducing 
legislation to reauthorize several programs, primarily relating to 
nutrition assistance for children, whose authorizations are set to end 
this year. These programs are vitally important to our nation, and I 
applaud the introduction of this legislation as a clear demonstration 
of our strong support for them in the Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry Committee and our commitment to reenacting authorizing 
legislation this year.
  The bill introduced today is a simple extension of expiring 
authorizations, without amendments or modifications, and thus only 
marks the beginning of the legislative process. As Chairman Lugar has 
indicated, the Committee will complete the normal child nutrition 
reauthorization process, as in past years, allowing for full discussion 
and consideration of the programs requiring reauthorization as well as 
those having permanent authorizations. I look forward to working with 
colleagues on the Committee, in this body, and in the House of 
Representatives on this very important legislation.
  An essential part of our work on this reauthorization bill involves 
examining the child nutrition programs to ensure they are functioning 
well, particularly in responding to changing circumstances and new 
demands. Another, no less important, part of our efforts must focus on 
making the programs more effective by finding better ways to address 
longstanding unmet needs and reach individuals who are not adequately 
served by the programs in their present form. Of course, we must always 
be alert to opportunities for streamlining, paring paperwork and 
reducing administrative burdens. A number of thoughtful proposals for 
improvements and modifications have already been made, and I know that 
we will receive more of them as work on the legislation proceeds.
  All of the programs involved in this reauthorization are important, 
but I want to mention specifically a few of my priorities. We should 
strengthen the school breakfast program in order to reach students who 
need school breakfasts but do not currently have access to them. We 
also should improve the child nutrition programs in ways that enhance 
their effectiveness in helping families obtain quality child care. And 
we need to ensure that the summer food program is adequately serving 
kids who without it are quite vulnerable once school is out for the 
summer. In addition to reauthorizing the Iowa and Kentucky child care 
nutrition pilot project, we ought to examine its positive results for 
guidance in shaping our national approach to child care nutrition 
assistance. With respect to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program 
for Women, Infants, and Children, it is important to continue an 
effective competitive bidding system for

[[Page S173]]

infant formula and to extend and strengthen the WIC farmers market 
program.
  Nothing is more important to the future of our nation than its 
children, and nothing is more important to children than the sound 
nutrition they need each day. It is beyond dispute that good nutrition 
is critical to physical growth, intellectual development and lives that 
are healthy, productive and happy. Trying to educate children who are 
hungry or malnourished is just as foolish as trying to build a house on 
a crumbling foundation. Federal child nutrition programs constitute 
investments in the future--of our children and our nation. This 
legislation will ensure that we continue to reap the immeasurable 
dividends of those wise investments.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise in strong support of the Child 
Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998 being introduced today by the 
Chairman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Senator 
Lugar; Ranking Member Harkin; and Ranking Member Leahy, of the 
Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation and myself as Chairman of 
that Subcommittee.
  In the past, nutrition programs under the jurisdiction of the 
Agriculture Committee have been fashioned in a bipartisan manner. 
Today's introduction of legislation to reauthorize those child 
nutrition programs expiring in 1998, is a starting point.
  Our Child Nutrition Programs have played an essential role in 
promoting the long-term health of our children. These programs provide 
a vital link between diet and health, ensuring that our children have 
access to nutritious food.
  Mr. President, Chairman Lugar has described the programs that must be 
reauthorized and the critical importance these programs serve in 
providing a safety net for children. While, I agree that these programs 
must be reauthorized, we must not overlook the opportunity to review 
the existing structure of these programs, review priorities, and 
determine if improvements and streamlining can enhance their 
effectiveness.
  One area of particular interest to me is a provision expiring under 
the National School Lunch Act which required a two state pilot project 
for for-profit day care centers in the Child and Adult Care Food 
Program. The two states were Kentucky and Iowa. In Kentucky, 242 for-
profit child care centers participate in the demonstration project, 
providing meals to over 10,500 children each day.
  Many of these child centers are in rural areas or in lower income 
municipalities. Without the demonstration project, fees would increase 
placing a greater financial burden on parents and some smaller centers 
may be forced to close. This demonstration project provides needed 
nutritional assistance to financially disadvantaged children. I believe 
that continued operation and possible expansion of this type of 
demonstration project is essential as we consider policies to help 
working families with children.
  I am sure Members will have many ideas and changes to improve these 
programs.
  Mr. President, everyone agrees how critical good nutrition is to our 
children's ability to learn. This reauthorization represents our 
opportunity to work together to craft a thoughtful bill that will be 
the building block to our children's successful learning so they can 
have a healthy and productive future.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with my colleagues on 
the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, as I have done many 
times before on nutrition issues, to introduce a bill that begins the 
child nutrition reauthorization process.
  For many years on the Committee, when I was Chairman, and later 
Ranking Member, we always tried to make our nutrition efforts consensus 
bills--agreed to by all members of the Committee. Now as Ranking Member 
of the nutrition subcommittee I look forward to working with the 
Committee to report out a strong child nutrition reauthorization bill.
  The bill I cosponsor today extends existing programs but does not 
include improvements which I will discuss with other Committee members 
and the Secretary in the near future.
  Last November, I introduced the ``Child Nutrition Initiatives Act'' 
which contained a number of changes that I will discuss with my 
colleagues. That was not a reauthorization bill but rather an effort 
that I hope will be carefully looked at by my colleagues in the Senate 
and in the House.
  I intend to meet with representatives of the various nutrition 
programs as I work with other Members to help craft a good bill. I look 
forward to meeting with Under Secretary Shirley Watkins who has a 
number a great ideas to improve our child nutrition programs. In 
addition, I will carefully review Senator Johnson's school breakfast 
bill which has been strongly endorsed by many groups at that national 
and local level.
  I will also gain input from Vermont nutrition leaders, Vermont 
program directors, community leaders and program participants.
  My November 13 statement explains the basis for my bill--I am hopeful 
that many of those provisions will be supported by the Committee and 
the Senate as a whole.
                                 ______