Senate Ag Chair Spoils Unanimous Consent Bid For School Milk Measure

The United States Capitol Building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)

An effort to enshrine access for whole milk in the nation’s schools was delayed on the Senate floor this week by the ag committee’s chairwoman. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) voiced an objection to a bid to grant unanimous consent for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The measure, which has already passed the House, is sponsored in the Senate by Dr. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). In his floor remarks, Marshall talked about how whole milk for growing kids and adults helps keep their bodies healthy and strong.

Central MO Info · 23 1216 Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) on Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act cut 1

Marshall blames anti-dairy policies for decreased milk consumption and an increase in negative health outcomes.

Central MO Info · 23 1216 Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) on Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act cut 2

DTN reports that while Stabenow expresses support for the dairy industry and calls the debate on whole milk an important conversation, she objects to the idea that government policy over school meals could come down to which commodity garners support among lawmakers. Stabenow added that USDA is in the process of updating school-meal standards and says it’s important the Biden Administration rely on the latest dairy science.