Congress is close to passing the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act now that two key Democrats have indicated they will support a bill that the U.S. Senate unanimously passed last August. The U. S. House of Representatives is on the verge of considering that bill during the lame-duck session that begins next week.

Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) said they will back S. 3307, the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010." Progress on the bill stalled in September as several House members expressed concerns over the way the bill was funded. But, lacking the time to negotiate a compromise and receiving assurances from the administration that funding issues can be resolved later, the House is likely to accept the Senate bill and send it to President Obama for his signature before the end of the year.

IDFA supports the bill and recently worked with the National Milk Producers Federation and other food and agriculture organizations to call for immediate passage during the lame-duck session. The groups sent a letter this week to leaders of the House Committee on Education and Labor, urging them to pass S. 3307.

"These programs are very important for helping children achieve three servings a day of low-fat milk and dairy products as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines," said Ruth Saunders, IDFA vice president of policy and legislative affairs. "We hope Congress will take the necessary steps to make sure these programs are reauthorized."

Members with questions may contact Saunders at (202) 220-3553 or rsaunders@idfa.org.