DeLauro Statement on the President's Proposal to Expand Access to Summer Meals

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement today regarding the President's FY 2017 budget proposal to permanently expand the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program.

“The President's announcement today is a clear sign that the Administration is making funding childhood nutrition programs a top priority, and I am encouraged by the President’s commitment to ensuring that more of our children can eat during the summer months. Unlike the current Senate child nutrition reauthorization bill, the President's budget will do more to expand access to food benefits during the summer months and make it easier for more children to participate in the program. We must do everything we can for our children to have access to healthy and nutritious meals when school is out of session and I thank the Administration for its leadership in expanding these programs.

“While the Senate bill included a Summer EBT program, it limits the potential impact of the program by operating it through WIC, capping the number of eligible children to a dramatically low number, and limiting the amount a child can spend to only $30 a month. The President's budget proposal would run the program through SNAP, would not cap the number of eligible children, and would increase the monthly benefit to $45. This is the path forward and a win for the millions of children and families who depend on these critical safety net programs. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support the President’s request.”