As schools across Missouri participate in National School Lunch Week, an annual effort to promote awareness about the importance of child nutrition in the classroom, McCaskill for Missouri 2012 is reminding voters about Todd Akin’s extreme belief that we should eliminate the federal school lunch program. In Missouri, nearly 50 percent of Missouri’s students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school, and Todd Akin’s extreme positions would leave these kids hungry and on their own.
"Hardworking Missouri families have to wonder about Todd Akin’s values when he says he’ll eliminate school lunches but protect tax giveaways for Big Oil,” said Erik Dorey, McCaskill for Missouri spokesman. "These school meal programs are critical to helping the kids who need it most in communities across our state--urban and rural, big and small. Nearly half of Missouri's students rely on school meal programs in some way, and it’s just another example of Todd Akin’s extreme beliefs that he would eliminate the programs that help ensure Missouri’s kids have enough energy to learn.”
In 2004, Akin was one of only five members of Congress to vote against the Republican bill to reauthorize school meal programs. In 2010, the federal school lunch program was reauthorized with unanimous support from all 100 Senators.
Akin's stance against federal school lunch programs is too extreme, even among his House Republican colleagues. Missouri’s Rep. Vicki Hartzler, a former teacher and Tea Party Republican, said these programs are critical to helping students get through the day. As reported by the Columbia Daily Tribune:
Every other Republican candidate in attendance at the fair today said they support school nutrition programs.
"I don't think so," U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, said when asked whether the program should be abolished. "I am a former teacher, and if a family is truly needy, it is appropriate for taxpayers."
National School Lunch Week runs from October 15-19, 2012. In Congress, Akin has voted against school meal programs every time he has had the opportunity to do so.
The National School Lunches Program is a crucial tool the government utilizes to combat poverty and hunger in Missouri and throughout the country. Without the support of the federal government states would not be able to sustain the program leaving many more of Missouri's children hungry.
BACKGROUND
2010: Akin Was One of Only 13 Members to Vote Against a Resolution Expressing Support for the National School Lunch Program. In March 2010, Akin voted against House Resolution 362, a resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch Program. [Vote 89, 3/4/10]
2010: Akin Voted Against Reauthorizing the National School Lunch Program. In December 2010, Akin voted against the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, legislation to reauthorize child nutrition programs through fiscal 2015, including the National School Lunch Program. [Vote 603, 12/2/10]
2004: Akin Was One of Only 5 Members to Vote Against Reauthorizing the National School Lunch Program. In March 2004, Akin voted against a bill that would reauthorize such sums as necessary through fiscal year 2008 for a number of child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program and After-School Snack Program. [Vote 82, 3/24/04]
646,000 Students Per Day Received Free or Reduced-Price Meals in Missouri in 2011. According to the USDA, 646,000 children per school day received free or reduced price meals in Missouri in FY 2011. [USDA, FNS Program Data]
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