Senate bill 222 would bring back the choices of whole and 2% flavored and unflavored milk in schools after 14 years of USDA restricting schools (and daycares) to offer only fat-free and 1% milk to children over age 2. The measure got overwhelming House support in the 2023-24 legislative session in a bipartisan 330 to 99 vote. But it was blocked in the Senate during 2024.
Starting all over again in the 2025-26 session, the House bill, H.R. 649, has 113 sponsors from 39 states (76 R’s and 37 D’s), and it passed 24-10 out of the House Education Committee recommending a vote for passage on the House floor, yet to be scheduled.
The Senate bill, S. 222, has a ways to go with only 14 sponsors from 9 states (9 R’s, 4 D’s, and 1 independent) as of today, March 31, 2025, one day before the hearing on the bill before the full Senate Ag Committee (see notice with livestream link below). On the Senate side, it is the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Nutrition that is responsible for marking up the bill for a full Senate vote. More cosponsors means more hope this will happen.
Congress is in session this week. To find the Washington phone numbers for your state’s two United States Senators, to make the call asking their cosponsorship of S. 222, The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, (or thanking them for their cosponsorship), enter your state here
To send a pre-drafted email you can personalize to your Senators (S. 222) and Representative (H.R. 649), click here
To track cosponsors and progress of H.R. 649 in the House, click here
To track cosponsors and progress of S. 222 in the Senate, click here
Be the first to comment