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119th Congress
Independent · Nonpartisan · Reader-supported
HOUSEH.R. 9587· 119th Congress

Expand Free Summer Meals for All Children

Summer Meals REACH Act of 2026

Sponsor
LaMonica McIver (D-NJ)
Introduced
Jul 2, 2026
Last Action
Jul 2, 2026
Passage
12%
Introduced
Jul 2, 2026
2
Committee
3
Floor Vote
4
Both Chambers
5
Enacted
01 — The Text

What.

  • Permanently allows all children—not just low-income kids—to eat free at summer meal programs run by camps and community groups.
  • Lets meal sites use grab-and-go service anywhere, not just rural areas. Current rules require group dining in most places.
  • Allows food monitoring to happen remotely or off-site instead of requiring inspectors to visit locations in person.
02 — The Stakes

So what?

  • Low-income families benefit most: kids get free meals during summers when school meal programs close. Current income limits disappear.
  • Rural and remote areas gain flexibility to feed more kids without building dining facilities. Urban areas get same option.
  • Organizations serving meals face higher reimbursement costs since USDA now reimburses for all children instead of income-qualified children only.
03 — The Path

Now what?

  • Bill sits in House Education and Workforce Committee. Needs committee vote to advance; no hearing scheduled yet.
  • Single cosponsor signals limited momentum so far. Broader support would signal stronger path forward.
  • Contact your House representative if you care about summer food access—committee members decide whether this gets a vote.
Legislative History

Actions.

  • Jul 2, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Jul 2, 2026Introduced in House
  • Jul 2, 2026Introduced in House