Ed & Labor Committee Approves Kildee Amendment to Nutrition Bill Benefitting Indian Children

Amendment Ensures Indian Children Can Access School Lunch Programs

Contact: Erin Donar
(202) 225-3611

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Education and Labor marked up H.R. 5504, the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act.  Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Democratic Chairman of the House Native American Caucus, introduced an amendment to ensure that all Indian  and Alaska Native children in foster care are automatically eligible for the National School Lunch Program and the important nutrition it provides. Congressman Kildee’s amendment passed unanimously.

“Along with education, proper nutrition is one of the most important components of a child’s development. The National School Lunch Program is a critical resource for children across our nation and it should be available to all children in need. My amendment will ensure that all Indian children who have been placed in foster care are automatically eligible for the National School Lunch Program and the resources it provides,” said Congressman Kildee. 

Approximately 20,000 American Indian and Alaska Native children are in some kind of out-of-home placement under tribal jurisdiction or tribal foster care, which includes court-ordered out-of-home placement and voluntary placement.