[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 200 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H6119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             END HUNGER NOW

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, while Republicans continue to fight 
amongst themselves, Democrats remain united in working for the American 
people.
  I rise to applaud the USDA Food and Nutrition Services' efforts to 
give more of America's students access to universal free school meals.
  A new final rule published by USDA makes more schools eligible for 
Federal funds to cover the costs of healthy, nutritious breakfasts and 
lunches for all students.
  This Federal program, called the Community Eligibility Provision, 
eliminates school meal debts, minimizes shame in the lunch line, and 
reduces paperwork for school nutrition staff and families.
  It will hopefully encourage more States to adopt permanent universal 
free school meals as my home State of Massachusetts recently did.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a big deal. Thank you to President Biden, Vice 
President Harris, Secretary Vilsack, and Deputy Under Secretary Dean 
for delivering on commitments coming out of the White House Conference 
on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
  I am thrilled that in the richest country in the world, we are making 
progress to ensure that all kids have access to nutritious food as part 
of their school day.
  Together, we can continue this progress, and together, we can end 
hunger now.

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