U.S. Reps Glenn Thompson (R-Howard) and Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Sens. John Fetterman (D-Braddock), Dave McCormick (R-Pittsburgh), Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Peter Welch (D-VT) have introduced a bipartisan, bicameral Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which will allow for unflavored and flavored whole and reduced fat (2%) milk to be offered in school cafeterias.
“Federal policy, based on flawed, outdated science has kept whole milk out of school cafeterias for more than a decade,” said Thompson, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee. “Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that supplement growth and health, two key factors contributing to academic success. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 provides schools the flexibility they need to offer a variety of options, while supporting students and America’s hard-working dairy farmers.”
McCormick and Fetterman concurred.
“Kids need wholesome, nourishing food to grow strong and stay healthy, and whole milk is packed with the nutrients they need,” said Fetterman, who serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. “Let’s give them the option to enjoy it again in schools—it’s good for them, they’ll actually drink it, and it supports our farmers. This bill is a simple solution that benefits everyone.”
It will allow schools participating in the United States Department of Agriculture’s school meals program to serve whole milk for the first time since 2012.
“Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers supply this country with an abundant source of milk year-round,” McCormick said. “Allowing schools to serve whole milk and reduced-fat milk, in addition to low-fat and fat-free milk, in the lunchroom is just commonsense. I’m proud to support our dairy farmers and our students by supplying them with the essential nutrients found in milk to learn and grow.”
Similar legislation in the last Congress received overwhelmingly bipartisan support in the House with 134 cosponsors and 330 votes. However, it did not move on to the Senate floor.
In other developments out of Washington:
Brownfield Ag News said the confirmation hearing for President Trump’s nominee to lead the USDA is underway.
During her opening comments, Brooke Rollins of Texas told the Senate Agriculture Committee that “we must ensure that the disaster and economic assistance authorized by Congress is deployed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Second, we must work with the great men and women of USDA, the stakeholder communities, and state leaders to immediately and comprehensively get a handle on the state of animal disease outbreaks.”
The New York Post reported that McCormick will chair a key Foreign Relations subcommittee on Middle East affairs, which covers the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, quoting sources who said that decision will be announced later by the full committee’s chairman James Risch (R-Idaho).
“I am honored to chair a subcommittee on such critical issues,” McCormick told The Post. “I see this as a great opportunity to strengthen the US-Israel alliance, expand the Abraham Accords, grow US-India cooperation, and delve deeply into regional energy, economic, and security issues.”
McCormick joined other senators in voting to confirm John Ratcliffe, director of national intelligence in Trump’s first term, as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
“During his hearing, I appreciated that he promised to return the CIA to its core mission – to gather and share intelligence to protect our nation from threats,” the Pittsburgh Republican said. “I look forward to working with Director Ratcliffe to protect every Pennsylvanian.”