Are there no workhouses? House Republican whose bill would make poor kids starve
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Todd Rokita's bill is called the "Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act." Naturally, it does neither
Conservative lawmakers are well known for wanting to cut funding to public education. But just remember, every time they take a swing at public school budgets, they hit poor kids.
The newest blow aimed at public schools will hit low-income students in the stomach – literally.
A bill introduced by a Republican in Congress called The Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act does the exact opposite of what it claims to do.
In this case, “improving” children’s nutrition means cutting the availability of federally subsidized lunches to hungry children in public schools.
Specifically, the bill would tighten eligibility restrictions that govern how many schools can take full advantage of the free and reduced-price lunch program, potentially cutting off food to thousands of schools and millions of students.
The bill is still in committee, but it’s not too early to tell Congress this is bad public policy that needs to go away.
Why This Hurts Poor Children
The bill comes at the worst possible time.
Public schools across the nation are still reeling from years of budget cuts as most states continue to fund schools less than what they did in 2008, and overall per-pupil spending in public schools has dropped four years in a row. While these budget cuts have rolled out, school enrollments have increased, and many more of the students entering the system live in poverty.
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