CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Ilhan Omar (D-MN)

Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

H.R. 8798 · House bill Agriculture and Food

A Democratic bill with 103 Democratic cosponsors · See all 103 cosponsors

Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

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

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 aims to amend existing laws to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all children in participating schools. It updates the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to remove previous eligibility requirements. The bill establishes specific national average payments for these meals, which are adjusted annually for inflation. It also prohibits schools from collecting debt for unpaid meals and prevents breakfast shaming or the physical segregation of students. Additionally, the legislation covers various summer food programs and afterschool care.

Yes· 3 of 7

  • Scored +10

    Would children be better off under this?

    The bill provides universal free breakfast and lunch to all school children.

  • Scored +10

    Would students be better off under this?

    Ensures all students have access to free, nutritious meals without stigma or debt.

  • Scored +9

    Would households on low incomes be better off under this?

    Provides essential nutrition and eliminates meal debt for low-income families.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.