# 119-hr-8798: Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

119-hr-8798, Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-15).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8798
- As of: 2026-10-15
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-8798
- Congress: 119
- Title: Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-05-13
- Sponsor: Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN)
- Cosponsors: 103
- Policy area: Agriculture and Food
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-15

## Summary

**Universal free school meals** for every enrolled child in participating schools would replace the current free and reduced-price meal rules. The bill would also expand summer benefits, make all child care meals free, and align nutrition eligibility with education poverty measures. - Families and children: All enrolled students in participating schools would get free breakfast and lunch. Meal reimbursements are set at $3.3 per breakfast and $5.4 per lunch, adjusted annually. - Schools and districts: Schools could not collect unpaid meal charges and could seek reimbursement through a new delinquent debt program the Agriculture Secretary must set up within 60 days and complete reimbursements within 180 days. - Programs and local food: Summer EBT would pay $60 per eligible child in 2026 and then index to diet costs. All child care meals become free and schools can get an extra $0.3 per lunch for serving at least 25% locally sourced products last year.

## Cosponsors (103)

- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4] (D-WI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1] (D-RI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3] (D-AZ), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4] (D-MA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (D-OH), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1] (D-MO), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2] (D-LA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35] (D-TX), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14] (D-FL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (D-MN), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] (D-WA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3] (D-OR), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6] (D-MI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3] (D-PA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10] (D-FL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] (D-TX), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (D-WA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] (D-CT), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12] (D-PA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (D-MA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] (D-RI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6] (D-GA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] (D-MN), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3] (D-KY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10] (D-NJ), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18] (D-TX), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] (D-MA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1] (D-NJ), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D-NJ), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7] (D-CO), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (D-ME), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large] (D-VI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8] (D-MD), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6] (D-OR), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] (D-WA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1] (D-NM), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10] (D-WA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12] (D-NJ), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (D-FL), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9] (D-TX), 2026-05-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] (D-CA), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] (D-MA), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11] (D-NJ), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2] (D-HI), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26] (D-NY), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8] (D-NJ), 2026-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22] (D-NY), 2026-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] (D-NY), 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4] (D-OR), 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7] (D-TX), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4] (D-NC), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] (D-NY), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Free meals in child care: benefit, medium. If enacted, all meals and supplements served under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) would be free to participants. The bill expands eligible providers to include private nonresidential child care and out-of-school day care. Institutions would be reimbursed at the free breakfast and fre…
- Free school meals and protections: benefit, medium. If enacted, every child enrolled in a participating school would be eligible for free breakfast and free lunch. The bill sets the national average breakfast payment at $3.28 and lunch at $5.42, with both adjusted each year by the CPI for food away from home and rounded each July 1 starting 2026. Sc…
- Summer food payments for children: benefit, medium. If enacted, Summer EBT would pay $60 per eligible child for each summer month in calendar year 2026. For 2027 and later, the monthly benefit would equal the prior year's unrounded benefit adjusted by a cost-of-diet percentage and then rounded down to the nearest dollar. Eligibility would use the ne…
- Summer meal access and outreach: benefit, medium. If enacted, the Summer Food Service Program would use the "economically disadvantaged" standard and explicitly let all children participate. The Agriculture Secretary could waive rules that the Secretary finds limit access to summer meals. State agencies would also be required to inform high-need s…
- Bonus pay for local school food: benefit, low. If enacted, school food authorities that served at least 25% locally sourced farm products the prior year could get extra pay per meal. The add-ons would be $0.30 for each free lunch or supper, $0.21 for each free breakfast, and $0.08 for each free supplement. "Locally sourced" means produced in-st…
- Repeal school lunch special assistance: cost, medium. If enacted, the bill would repeal the Special Assistance authority (Section 11) in the National School Lunch Act. The repeal would take effect 1 year after enactment and requires conforming edits to other statutes. Some programs or schools that previously used that authority could lose a source of…
- New rules to count low-income students: mixed, medium. If enacted, federal formulas would replace the old "school lunch factor" with an "economically disadvantaged students" ratio based on ESEA section 1113(a)(5). LEAs and States could count low-income or low-income-background students using a Secretary-provided survey template, records, or direct cert…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-15: Equality Act
- 119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025
- 119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act
- 119-hr-18: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025
- 119-hr-14: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-8798 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8798)

## Related
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-15: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-15)
- [119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1589)
- [119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-17)
- [119-hr-18: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-18)
- [119-hr-14: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-14)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8798 (as of 2026-10-15).