WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) – ranking member and chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry –today met with Academy Award-winning actor and longtime hunger advocate Jeff Bridges to hear firsthand his interest in ending childhood hunger. Senate Agriculture Committee members Sens. John Boozman (R-AR), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also joined the conversation.
“In America, no child should ever go to bed hungry,” Stabenow said. “I am so glad Jeff Bridges was here today to lend his voice to this urgent issue. We need to make sure every child has access to healthy meals throughout the year, both in school and during the summer, which is why it’s so important that Congress move forward with a balanced, bipartisan child nutrition bill this year.”
“The issue of child nutrition continues to be at the forefront of this Committee,” said Chairman Roberts. “I’m pleased Mr. Bridges was here today to shed light on the importance of completing a bipartisan child nutrition bill this year. We can get this done, and we will get this done. Hungry schoolchildren are counting on us.”
During the meeting, Stabenow and Roberts discussed with Bridges his interest in improving summer meal programs to help more children have access to healthy meals during the summer months. Bridges has been involved in the fight against child hunger for more than 30 years.
In May 2015, the Senate Agriculture Committee held its first hearing on the reauthorization of child nutrition programs. Negotiations on that five year reauthorization are still underway.
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