McCaskill campaign: Akin one of 11 who opposed school breakfast for low-income children

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)

In 2009, Todd Akin joined an extreme minority of Republicans who refused to even acknowledge the fact that providing breakfast to low-income children had a positive effect on their ability to learn and focus in the classroom. Even more bizarre is the fact that Akin’s reason for opposing the federal school meal program is that he believes it should be left to the states, and by voting against this resolution, Akin also voted against encouraging states to step up their efforts to provide these crucial breakfasts to low-income students.

Akin Was One of Only 11 Members Who Opposed Acknowledging the Positive Impact of Breakfast on Schoolchildren. Akin was a part of the extreme minority who voted against adopting a resolution that recognized the importance of the National School Breakfast Program and its effect on the lives of low-income children and families. It also encouraged states to strengthen such programs and recognized the need to provide states with resources to increase availability of breakfasts. The measure passed the House 383-11. [H Res. 210, Roll Call 110, R 152-11; D 231-0, 3/9/09]

“Every day, it seems Todd Akin’s views get even more extreme, and his position on cutting off the school meals program is no exception,” said Erik Dorey, McCaskill for Missouri spokesman. “Our National School Breakfast Program helps to provide low-income children the crucial nutrition they need to be successful students. This resolution simply acknowledges the fact, which commonsense Americans accept, that breakfast is an important way for schoolchildren to start the day. Todd Akin says he wants the states to take over the school meal program, but his votes once again contradict his rhetoric. This vote makes clear that Todd Akin is simply opposed to helping hungry kids get through the day.”