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North Dakota's Senate recently passed a bill that allows its members to have more access to free food, but rejected a separate proposal that aimed to provide free lunches for underprivileged schoolchildren.
The bill, which is now awaiting Republican Governor Doug Burgum's signature, will permit state employees to collect up to $45 a day for their meals while traveling within the state, a $10 increase from the current daily allowance of $35. This change would cost taxpayers $1 million over the next two years.
Meanwhile, a bill that would have allotted $6 million over two years to offer free lunches to K-12 students who live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level failed by just one vote.
According to regional news source The Forum, 13 Republicans voted against the school meal proposal while also supporting the reimbursement for state employees, with no Democrats doing the same.
Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan criticized the Senate's decision, stating that it was "very self-serving" and questioned how members could vote for themselves while ignoring the needs of children.
On the other hand, Republican Assistant Majority Leader Jerry Klein claimed that he could not see any relationship between the two bills.
State Republican Senator Mike Wobbema said that he opposes free school meals for underprivileged children, citing "personal responsibility" and stating that parents are to blame for their children going hungry.
Wobbema argued that if kids are opting "to eat in the first place," it is a result of parental negligence and that it is not the responsibility of the school district or the state of North Dakota to address the issue.
Many have condemned the North Dakota GOP's action.
\u201cLawmakers killed a bill to give free lunches to more K-12 students but passed legislation to boost meal reimbursements for state employees. https://t.co/ErvQe1qDW6 This is the GOP. They enrich themselves...only. Others...they can eat....NOTHING.\u201d— Journey Inhell (@Journey Inhell) 1680980219
\u201cEVERY TIME you read a headline that states law makers have voted for themselves & against their constituents, know that those law makers will be Republicans. ALWAYS. EVERY TIME.\nhttps://t.co/hDiNKgEMxN\u201d— Susan \ud83d\udc99\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udd4a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf3f (@Susan \ud83d\udc99\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udd4a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf3f) 1681003743
\u201cSo glad the #NorthDakota legislatures won't go hungry since tax payers will give them $45/day for meals.\nUnfortunately, North Dakota school children are not considered the states responsibility, so no FREE LUNCH for students! \nIs the states new motto: LET THEM EAT CAKE! #Vote\u201d— \ud83d\udc99#VoteBlue\u270cElla \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a Katel\u270c\ud83c\udf0d#Resist\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83d\udc99 #IFB (@\ud83d\udc99#VoteBlue\u270cElla \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a Katel\u270c\ud83c\udf0d#Resist\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83d\udc99 #IFB) 1681139722
\u201cRepublicans vote to pay more for their own meals but not for kids. They really do hate Americans. \nVote them all out. \n#ProudBlue https://t.co/9Lx5KyMgx3\u201d— voteblue2020\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@voteblue2020\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf3b\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1680982078
\u201cImagine being so heartless that you vote against free school meals for kids living in poverty. Welp you don\u2019t have to imagine, Republicans voted to expand their own meals but said that child hunger isn\u2019t the responsibility of the state. #Fresh https://t.co/s96TpW3dco\u201d— LanaQuest aka RosaSparks (@LanaQuest aka RosaSparks) 1681005223
\u201cAn absolutely vile move.\n\nThe ND GOP literally feeding themselves w/ gov funds while choosing to leave hungry kids & their families behind.\n\nUniversal school meals are a vital investment for all of WI. We can get this done by passing @GovEvers\u2019 budget. https://t.co/rfvZCA8keS\u201d— Rep. Francesca Hong \ud64d\uc724\uc815 (@Rep. Francesca Hong \ud64d\uc724\uc815) 1681142131
\u201cPoor children in American Schools:\nNo food for YOU! https://t.co/e9JbAzSajc\u201d— Jay Maybruck (@Jay Maybruck) 1681138466
\u201cThey're telling you who they are.\n\nBelieve them.\n\nLawmakers killed a bill to give free lunches to more K-12 students but passed legislation to boost meal reimbursements for state employees. https://t.co/yN27JwInWY via @HuffPostPol\u201d— Frank Dugan \u262e \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Frank Dugan \u262e \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1680992221
\u201cred states are sickening\nhttps://t.co/akWNVFHLRV\u201d— April Fool/Goof\u2122 / #LGM! (@April Fool/Goof\u2122 / #LGM!) 1681137590
It is critical to acknowledge that providing free school meals to underprivileged children is not only an ethical obligation but also a wise investment.
Providing free lunches to students who cannot afford them is a proven method of addressing child hunger and poverty, improving educational outcomes, and reducing food insecurity. Additionally, free school meals can benefit local economies by boosting sales at grocery stores and other food retailers.
According to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), school lunch "is critical to student health and well-being, especially for low-income students—and ensures that students have nutrition they need throughout the day to learn" and school meal nutrition standards "are having a positive impact on student food selection and consumption, especially for fruits and vegetables."