U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner is making sure school nutrition programs will continue to provide meals for children from low income families despite logistical problems or a complete disruption in classes due to COVID-19.
Flexibility is key, and waivers to regulations will continue to be necessary when children return to classes over the next few weeks, Gardner and other key Republicans said in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
In addition to nutrition, Gardner and U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona asked Senate leaders to include funding for school telehealth programs in the next COVID-19 relief legislation package.
“As our country is seeking solutions to address the current crisis on hand, it is critical that we are doing everything we can to ensure that students have access to essential healthcare services regardless of their socioeconomic status or zip code. In order to do this, we urge you to include robust funding for school telehealth programs in the next COVID-19 relief package,” the senators wrote.
Additional COVID-19 relief efforts stalled after House Democrats left Washington for the August recess without an agreement.
However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is bringing everyone back to town Saturday to pass emergency funding for the post office after numerous media reports suggested the election would go straight to Hell unless taxpayers fork over an additional $25 billion.
While Gardner is working to make sure students are prepared to go back to school and nutrition programs continue uninterrupted in another shutdown, Pelosi is more concerned about getting her Democrat majority reelected.
Priorities, you see.