André Carson (D-IN)
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require participation in the summer EBT program as a condition of participating in the school lunch program, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 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 amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act regarding the summer EBT program. For the summers of 2024 through 2026, participation remains elective for States and covered Indian Tribal organizations. Starting in summer 2027, any State that participates in the school lunch program is required to participate in the summer EBT program. Covered Indian Tribal organizations can either participate in the school lunch program or elect to participate in the summer EBT program. The bill also sets requirements for submitting management and administration plans starting in 2027.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
Ensures more children have access to food benefits during summer months via expanded EBT participation.
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Increases the likelihood that low-income households will receive summer food assistance.
- Scored +7
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
Expands summer food benefit access for low-income families by making program participation mandatory for states.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Removes the option for states to elect whether or not to participate in the summer EBT program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Access to Summer Benefits: Starting in summer 2027, all States participating in the school lunch program must also participate in the summer EBT program, which could expand the availability of these benefits to more people (Section 1(a)(2)(B)(i) and Section 1(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Mandatory State Participation: The bill removes the option for States to "elect to" participate in certain program requirements, making participation mandatory for States in the school lunch program starting in 2027 (Section 1(b) and Section 1(d)).
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? — Ensures more children have access to food benefits during summer months via expanded EBT participation. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increases the likelihood that low-income households will receive summer food assistance. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly includes covered Indian Tribal organizations in the program options. Would students be better off under this? — Students in school lunch programs will have more consistent access to food during summer break. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Likely to benefit from expanded food assistance programs that target low-income populations. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Likely to benefit from expanded food assistance programs that target low-income populations. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Likely to benefit from expanded food assistance programs that target low-income populations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Expands summer food benefit access for low-income families by making program participation mandatory for states.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Mandates state participation in a federal program starting in 2027, reducing state elective discretion. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Removes the option for states to elect whether or not to participate in the summer EBT program.
- 8/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/20/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida