'What's There to Even Discuss?' Omar Says Free, Universal School Meals Should Be Permanent

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar argued Friday that free school meal waivers enacted early in the pandemic to forestall a surge in child hunger should be made permanent, a policy change that she characterized as a political, economic, and moral no-brainer.

"We have an opportunity to prove that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can still deliver big things," said Omar (D-Minn.), the whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "And we can feed tens of millions of hungry kids while we do it. What's there to even discuss?"