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HR8798119th CongressWALLET

Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

Introduced

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.

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  • 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.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Free meals in child care

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 free lunch rates in the bill and supplements at $1.28 (adjusted annually). Reimbursement claims would be limited to no more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day, with a 1-meal plus 1-supplement limit on regular school days.

Free school meals and protections

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. Schools could not shame or segregate children over unpaid meal charges starting on the date of enactment. The Agriculture Secretary would also set up a program to repay schools for existing delinquent meal debt and must create it within 60 days of the Act's effective date and finish reimbursements within 180 days.

Summer food payments for children

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 new "economically disadvantaged" standard from ESEA section 1113(a)(5) and would include children in States and covered Tribal areas that participate. These rules would take effect 1 year after enactment, except the explicit $60 amount applies for 2026.

Summer meal access and outreach

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 schools, including Tribal schools, about the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program before schools decide whether to participate. These changes would take effect 1 year after enactment.

Repeal school lunch special assistance

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 support as a result.

New rules to count low-income students

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 certification. The Secretary must issue the survey template within 180 days, and State and local reporting must protect individual privacy. The bill also sets a 30% threshold for a district to be "heavily impacted." All of these changes take effect 1 year after enactment.

Bonus pay for local school food

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-state or within 250 miles. These amounts would be adjusted each year by the CPI for food away from home and rounded each July 1.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

MN • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

    TN • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

    KY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]

    VI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 8/20/2026

  • Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 8/20/2026

  • Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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