Mike Levin (D-CA)
Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2026," aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It focuses on excluding certain military housing allowances from household income calculations used to determine eligibility for school meals. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of Agriculture to work with the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of direct certification for children in military households. This study would look at ways to provide free or reduced price lunches and breakfasts without requiring further applications.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +4
Would children be better off under this?
The bill facilitates easier access to free or reduced price breakfasts and lunches for children in military households.
- Scored +4
Would students be better off under this?
The bill aims to reduce the administrative burden of applying for school meal programs for students in military families.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
By excluding housing allowances from income calculations, it makes it easier for many families to qualify for nutritional assistance.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Direct Certification Procedures: Under Section 2(a)(1), the bill calls for a report on establishing procedures so children in military households can be certified for free or reduced price lunches and breakfasts without the burden of further applications.
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Income Calculation Adjustment: Section 2(a)(2)(B) suggests evaluating the exclusion of non-service member income from household income calculations, which could impact eligibility for school meal programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
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Data Sharing for Assistance: Section 2(a)(2)(A) proposes evaluating the use and sharing of data used for the basic needs allowance to potentially streamline the process for military families.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill facilitates easier access to free or reduced price breakfasts and lunches for children in military households. Would students be better off under this? — The bill aims to reduce the administrative burden of applying for school meal programs for students in military families. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By excluding housing allowances from income calculations, it makes it easier for many families to qualify for nutritional assistance.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill seeks to increase eligibility for school meal programs by excluding military housing allowances from household income calculations.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill aims to increase the number of children eligible for free or reduced price school meals.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill provides potential benefits for military families through streamlined school meal eligibility.
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania