Senate Ag Committee orders Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act reported favorably after amendments

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry ordered S.222, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, reported favorably as amended after adopting a bipartisan manager’s amendment and a separate amendment to increase food-allergy training for school food service personnel.

The legislation, which the chair said would “provide school children with a greater variety of milk options in our school lunch program,” was presented to the committee with a manager’s amendment adopted as the text for purposes of further amendment. Committee members adopted, by unanimous consent, an amendment offered on behalf of Senator Dick Durbin to add food allergy training to the list of required annual trainings for school food service personnel.

The measure’s supporters noted the House previously passed the bill in the last Congress by a reported 330-99 vote, and the chair named Senators Marshall and Welch as original sponsors and listed additional cosponsors. The chair also said changes were incorporated to allow schools the option to serve non-dairy beverages such as soy milk if they choose. Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar reiterated support for the bill while warning of broader nutrition-program cuts elsewhere in Congress, noting a House proposal that she said would cut nearly $300 billion from nutrition programs.

With a reporting quorum present, a member moved that S.222 be reported favorably as amended; the chair put the question by voice and observed that “the ayes have it.” The committee asked unanimous consent to allow letters and statements for the record and authorized staff to make technical, clarifying and conforming changes when preparing the bill for reporting.

The business meeting then adjourned.

Votes at a glance: Manager’s amendment — adopted as a substitute by unanimous consent/voice; Durbin amendment (adds food-allergy training for school food service personnel) — adopted by unanimous consent/voice; Motion to report S.222 as amended — ordered to be reported favorably by voice vote (no roll-call recorded).