Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee’s senior Republican member, issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed S. 3307:
“Republicans are committed to extending and improving child nutrition programs in a fiscally responsible way. Unfortunately, once again, the Hobson’s choice Democratic leaders forced through Congress blocked any chance of improving child nutrition assistance without saddling our children and communities with bigger government, higher spending, and more mandates.
“This isn’t a debate about healthy and affordable school meals. It is a debate about the proper role of the federal government and the unsustainable level of government spending. The question we have to answer is this: Will Congress finally hear the voices of Americans concerned with the growing size and debt of the federal government? The procedural antics today prove unequivocally that Democrats will do anything and everything not to listen.
“Throughout this debate, Republicans have offered our ideas to improve child nutrition without driving up spending and expanding government. We did so on the floor yesterday and once again those ideas – while supported by an overwhelming majority of Congress – were blocked by a minority in the Democratic leadership. Reforms based on common sense and fiscal discipline, and considered through a fair and open process, are the kinds of reforms Republicans will champion on behalf of the country.”
