DSA Supports Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019

As more and more parents are penalized for being unable to afford school meals for their children, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are putting their full support behind Universal School Meals Program which was introduced into Congress by Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on Tuesday. The bill aims to alleviate penalties and expand eligibility rules around who is able to pay for school meals.

“No child should go hungry, and no child should be shamed for the inability to pay for school lunch” said DSA NPC member (National Political Committee) member Jen McKinney. “My daughter currently benefits from the free school lunch program. It has been enormously helpful for us have the peace of mind that no matter what, she will be fed a healthy, nutritious breakfast. This bill would extend food service to summer, when it can be a struggle to get meals on the table.”

This essential piece of legislation comes shortly after the Trump administration proposed a reduction in the food stamp program that will quite literally take food from the mouths of children and inevitably lead to worse learning outcomes at school.

“The DSA putting its name next to Sen. Sanders and Rep. Omar's in support of this kind of program can help bring DSA's mission to the masses” said DSA NPC member Jennifer Bolen. “This program spotlights the failures of capitalism.”

The DSA will work to organize in favor of its passage. “We will be making momentous strides in providing for working class families” Bolen emphasizes. “No one should ever have to face the incredible cruelty of hunger in the richest country in the world.”