In a rare bipartisan moment, the Senate in August unanimously passed the Healthy Hungry-free Kids Act. Supported by major corporations, and with broad support across the political spectrum, the Act is the pet project of Michelle Obama. In concert with the President’s “Let’s Move” initiative, the child nutrition legislation is designed to be part of a campaign to fight childhood obesity.
Specifically the Act would expand school lunch programs, increase reimbursement rates and eliminate junk food from school lunch menus. And therein lies the controversy. The elimination of junk food from the menu has some like Sarah Palin up in arms.
The bill is now before the House of Representatives. If approved as passed by the Senate, the bill would go to the President’s desk for signature. But it was not going to be made easy. Led by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), an amendment was offered to bar federal funds from facilities that would hire workers who refuse or lie on sex offender background checks.
The amendment, though pertinent and valuable, would result in the legislation being sent back to the Senate in the next session of congress. In a compromise to keep the bill on track, the amendment will be taken up as separate legislation.
Neither the unanimity of the Senate nor the broad support for the legislation has stopped critics from attempting to make the legislation a wedge issue of personal freedom. Sarah Palin, to make her point that families should decide what children eat, showed up at a Pennsylvania school with a plate of cookies. She and others argue that dictating menu choices is an over-extension of government’s role.
Michelle Obama meanwhile has been actively soliciting support for the Kids Act. She has been in contact with members of Congress and has contacted 5000 faith based leaders to seek their involvement in fighting obesity among America’s children. She has also toured Mississippi with Republican Governor Haley Barbour to promote the program and has appeared on Mike Huckabee’s Fox News program in support of the legislation.
Representative Kline’s response to Mrs. Obama’s push and the general popularity of the Act was,
“Members of the U.S. House of Representatives – Republicans and Democrats alike – have been completely shut out of the legislative process of extending and improving child nutrition programs…This legislation, which dramatically increases federal spending and food mandates, has not received a single House committee hearing or vote.”
Supporters, including Nancy Pelosi, have argued that the Kids Act will increase America’s competitiveness and military preparedness by providing a healthier and better educated populace. To understand Pelosi’s military readiness comment, obesity is a basis for inability to serve in the military.
Likely to pass by a wide margin, the Healthy Hungry-free Kids Act is now expected to get an up or down vote in the House.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.