Urges President and Congress to enact "CARE for Kids Act of 2019."
Impact
The resolution highlights that existing federal programs, such as the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP), already offer free meals to millions of children. However, many children living with grandparents or other relatives are excluded from eligibility because of their situation, affecting over 7.8 million children under 18 in the U.S. The CARE for Kids Act aims to address these gaps by allowing automatic access to free meals for these vulnerable groups, thereby enhancing their nutritional safety net.
Summary
Senate Resolution No. 20 urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact the 'CARE for Kids Act of 2019'. This resolution emphasizes the importance of providing automatic eligibility for free school meals to children who are being raised by grandparents or other relatives instead of their biological parents. It is motivated by the recognition that access to school meals is critical for children's overall health and academic performance, reducing issues like food insecurity and poor health outcomes.
Contention
While there appears to be significant support for the resolution in terms of the public health and educational benefits it promises, there may be concerns regarding the administrative challenges and funding implications of expanding eligibility. There hasn't been notable legislative opposition highlighted within the discussions, but broader implications for state and federal budget allocations could be points of contention as the bill moves through the legislative process.