Democrats call for swift reauthorization of child nutrition bill

Democratic lawmakers will call for swift passage of the child-nutrition reauthorization legislation in a conference call later this afternoon.

The House is expected to vote on the bill this week, and the Senate already unanimously approved a $4.5 billion version of the bill in August.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Reps. George Miller (D-Calif.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), James McGovern (D-Mass.) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) will speak in support of the legislation.

The Senate bill, championed by Lincoln, expands eligibility for school meal programs; establishes nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools; and provides a 6-cent increase for each school lunch to help cafeterias serve healthier meals. The House has been considering a $8 billion version of the bill sponsored by Miller, chairman of the Education and Labor Committee.